Bus fares for non-residents will be reduced to match those of ordinary residents of Malta as from Monday, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi announced this morning. The measure is expected to cost €3m over a year.

The controversy over different fares had raged ever since the Arriva service was introduced in July 2011, and the EU had intervened and told the government to remove such discrimination.

Mr Mizzi was speaking at the Valletta bus terminus, a day after Arriva bowed out after selling its assets to Transport Malta for a nominal fee. The bus service is being run by a governemnt company called Malta Public Transport Services Limited.

The government will next week issue a call for expressions of interest by companies interested in taking over the service, and Mr Mizzi hoped the process would be completed in a month.

Asked about costs for the government during the transitory period, he said officials were awaiting Arriva's audited accounts, but it was clear that government spending would have to rise, not least because of the reduction of  fares for foreigners and the introduction of new routes, which Transport Malta had estimated to cost €3 million. 

Various measures would however be taken to improve efficiency and reduce running costs, the minister said.

He confirmed that all former Arriva workers have been retained and said the bus service is operating normally.

HIGH COMMISSIONER 'SAD' TO SEE ARRIVA GO

Meanwhile, British High Commissioner Rob Luke in a tweet this morning said he was sad to see Arriva go, but he praised the government and the company for the negotiated outcome and hoped for a smooth transition.