Updates with government, Arriva replies, GWU statement.

The government has a “Plan B” should Arriva opt to leave, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said this morning. Mr Mizzi was speaking on One TV after press reports that indicated that Arriva could quit if it did not reach a favourable agreement with the government over the new bus routes.

He insisted that the new routes, that are expected to be introduced in the first quarter of 2014, were drawn up after a consultation exercise, but implementation was an issue.

Mr Mizzi said that he will honour the contract between the government and Arriva. However, should Arriva quit, the government would be prepared to act, like it did in the bendy buses issue.

In reply to questions sent by The Malta Independent both the transport ministry and Arriva said that it is not prudent to comment on the matter since talks are ongoing.

In a statement, the General Workers Union said that as a majority representative of the public transport employees it would not accept any changes unless was consulted and agreed with them. The GWU said that this applied to both the government and Arriva.