(Maltese) government carried out political vendetta in ousting Arriva

Arriva is determined to deliver the highest quality service possible in Malta and Gozo, one that will be recognised as a leading European transport solution and has the skills and resources to do that, with a team of skilled and committed workers and support from one of Europes premier transport groups. Arriva provides services in Malta and Gozo using some of the most modern and environmentally friendly buses anywhere in Europe, equipped with 21st century features for passenger safety and comfort.

Arriva looks to the full 10-year term of its contract as public transport operator on the Maltese Islands, and seeks to continue to grow both as a business and as an entity within society.

It is reported that the €50 million of Arriva's debt will be borne by the government.

The Arriva consortium, with local partner the Tumas Group, was awarded a contract to operate all scheduled bus services in Malta from July 2011, making us the sole provider of scheduled bus services on the island, and its sister island Gozo.
The transport system in Malta was previously operated by independent bus owners. The Maltese government has put in place a significant market reform, moving from a 1950s system to modern day - from an emerging liberalisation stage to mature - in one step change.
The 10-year contract for the exclusive operation of scheduled services is highly specified to meet the government's requirements for a new bus network. Arriva is delivering this reform at the same time as providing significant savings to the Maltese government, compared to the previous transport system.

The commencement of Arriva's services on 3 July 2011 was marred by many buses departing late or failing to turn up, primarily due to the absence of over 70 drivers who were due to transfer from the previous driver-owner system. This resulted in large crowds building up at Valletta's new bus terminus as well as other termini and stages across Malta. Other issues increased the delays, such as incorrect or non-operational route information on buses and mechanical faults. Arriva has also received criticism over the overhauled routes and timetables, which has increased journey times for some passengers.
During the first week of the new system, up to 180 drivers, most of whom had previously worked on the old network, failed to appear for duties. They cited Arriva's use of split-shifts as the reason for their non-appearance, as these had reportedly not been part of the conditions they had agreed to work under.
Arriva responded by drafting in seventy temporary drivers from its UK operation and trained further Maltese drivers to cover for the missing employees. Some services were subcontracted to other companies.