President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated the newly introduced high speed ferry service “Raajje Transport Link (RTL)” forms the backbone of the decentralised development envisioned by the administration.
Following the official inauguration of RTL service in Zone 1 of the National Public Ferry Network, President Solih said linking the geographically scattered islands of the Maldives with a high speed ferry will help to end the social and economic isolation of individual islands and boost the national economy. He said the service forms the backbone of the decentralised development that the country is striving to achieve.
Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) commenced the RTL service in Zone 1 of the National Public Ferry Network, which consists of Haa Alifu Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, and Shaviyani Atoll. As such, MTCC began the high-speed ferry service by connecting 13 islands in Haa Dhaalu Atoll via five routes.
Four ferries with a capacity of 560 passengers are operating on the RTL routes. The ferries are air-conditioned and include USB outlets to charge mobile phones. Passengers using the RTL service will be allowed to bring one luggage and a carry-on luggage.