The Unscheduled Bus Service (UBS) – which was providing low-floor buses to the government – has said in a statement that it will not extend its agreement, despite the fact that there is an urgent need for additional buses on the island.

“The UBS has worked hand in hand with the government to provide these vehicles to make up for the lack of vehicles the previous operators (Arriva) had and the new operators (Autobuses de Leon) have,” UBS said.  

It pointed out that Autobuses de Leon kicked off the service without having enough buses to operate. Today the Malta Public Transport invited members of the media to view the first five buses to have arrived in Malta from the UK.

The UBS continued: “After 8 January, the UBS continued to provide the low-floor buses to the new operator (the new operator started off on 8 January) and it was agreed that it would do so under the same conditions until 31 January (today) when the new buses arrive.

“The buses have not arrived in time and now UBS have been asked to continue providing the vehicles under new conditions but no agreement has been reached.

“The UBS did its utmost to help the government, the public and the new operator out after members of the UBS purchased new low-floor vehicles instead of coaches so that they can be accessible for the elderly and persons with a disability. But despite the fact that not all the vehicles arrived from the part of Autobuses de Leon, the service of UBS was halted,” it explained.