Update: Police have advised that another Arriva bendy-bus caught fire at around 12.30pm this afternoon near a roundabout in Xemxija.

The Transport Minister Joe Mizzi and the Chairman of Transport Malta, said in a joint statement this afternoon, that following an urgent meeeting with the management of Arriva, they have instructed Arriva Malta to take bendy-buses off the road pending further investigations. Arriva have agreed with this and the buses will be out of service from this evening.

Talks will continue between the three parties, as well as operators in the sector to find an appropiate solution to reduce any inconvenience during this time.

The GWU Maritime and Aviation Section earlier today called for Arriva to suspend the service of its bendy-buses, pending investigations into these incidents and to see if they require any modifications.

In the incident this afternoon, smoke was seen coming from the rear of the bus and the driver instructed the passengers to immediately evacuate.

Members of the Civil Protection got the flames under control.

This follows two other incidents that took place over the weekend, when a bendy-bus burst into flames as it was being driven in Marsa, followed by a second similar case in Mellieha on Sunday evening, in which a bendy bus was extensively damaged by fire.

Arriva, yesterday afternoon said that it “would like to reassure the public that its buses are safe and that passenger safety remains a top priority for the company. While visually the situations were certainly striking, the well-being and safety of our passengers and employees were never put at risk.”

The bus company said in its statement that “first indications show that the two recent incidents involving bendy-buses, do not seem to be related.”

Update: Following discussions between the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Joe Mizzi, the Chairman of Transport Malta, James Piscopo and Arriva it has been agreed that a private operator UBS, Unsheduled Bus Services, has been subcontracted with Arriva to operate the routes that would be affected by the suspension of around 68 bendy bus from the streets.

It was also agreed that Arriva will cover the additional costs necessary to be able to operate the service.

Arriva has said that drivers of the UBS vehicles will not be able to sell tickets and customers should therefore purchase their tickets from ticket machines, street sellers or Arriva ticket booths.

The company said it will use its best endeavours to ensure the continuity of service on all routes and limit disruption. The subcontracted vehicles will not feature its standard bus livery.

The affected routes are: 55/63, 109, 110, 117/118/119/135, 120, 136, 201, 202/203, 204/206/210, 205, 209/213, 226, X1, X2/X3, X4/X5/X7.

More information will be available on Arriva’s website www.arriva.com.mt or by contacting Arriva’s Customer Care Centre on 2122-2000 or enquiries@arriva.com.mt.

Permalink: Bendy-buses to be taken off the road after another fire