Associated Press - November 11, 2009 12:24 AM ET

PHOENIX (AP) - A deal to make ambulance service more efficient in Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Apache Junction is being challenged in court by a company that lost out in the bidding process.

A suit filed Tuesday by Professional Medical Transport Inc. alleges that the bidding process used by the four municipalities' fire districts was biased against the company and favored its rival, Southwest Ambulance.

The suit is the latest episode in a contentious battle between PMT and Southwest to control that area's multimillion-dollar ambulance contracts.

Since 2005, PMT has been acquiring smaller ambulance companies throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Over the past three years, PMT has won contracts in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Chandler, Guadalupe and Tempe.

Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com

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