Bus drivers team up with Tumas in transport expression of interest
Matthew Vella
Eight expressions of interest were received from various consortia for the privatisation of the public transport network over a period of 10 years.
The transport ministry said the list included many important names in the public transport industry, amongst them those who operate major systems in France, the UK, Spain, Italy and Hungary.
The ministry said the foreign firms had experience in operating transport systems in major European cities.
The consortia also included Maltese firms and even the Public Transport Association, which has formed the company Malta Land Transport plc and teamed up with the Tumas Group.
Gee Five Ltd, a subsidiary of the Gasan Group, teamed up with Fiat importers UCIM Co’s subsidiary CVA Technology and the London bus transport company Transdev plc.
FMC Motors is putting forward Spanish interest from Empresa Monforte, La Hispano Igualadina, and Madrid’s public transport company.
John’s Garage Ltd has teamed up with D’Allesandro & Associates and Hungarian operators Jarmukereskedelmi Zrt.
The other expressions of interest came from the Barcelona metropolitan transport, Go Ahead Group plc, Llorente Bus, and NEX Continental Holdings SLU.
The government said it wanted to introduce new services and facilities for passengers, and more routes to villages and other towns.
The new transport network will include express routes to Bikirkara, Mater Dei Hospital, Rabat, Malta International Airport, Sliema and new park and ride facilities. Transport hours will also be extended and operators will be obliged to maintain quality standards, cleanliness, air-conditioned vehicles, while bus drivers will be required to wear uniforms.
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