The government has revealed Raajje Transport Link (RTL) services as part of the Integrated National Public Ferry Network will be started in Haa Alif Atoll and Shaviyani Atoll at the end of this month.
The operator of the project, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), revealed that RTL high-speed ferry services will commence in all islands in Zone 1 before the end of next month.
After the trial trips, the RTL service was officially launched on June 12. This system is a major project launched by the government to connect the entire country with affordable and quality transportation.
The high-speed ferry service was first launched on 13 islands in the three atolls of Zone 1.
Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, Transport Manager of MTCC, Ali Fathih said the ferries required to start services in the Haa Alifu and Shaviyani Atolls have been acquired and the required staff have already been hired. He said trial ferries will also be conducted in these provinces before operations are officially launched. He noted the commencement in these atolls will complete the project in Zone 1.
RTL’s passenger ferry is connected in three different ways. They are commute links, non-commute links, and highway links. The commute link is for short trips connecting nearby islands. The non-commute link is to travel from one island to another. The highway link connects the transport hub of one region with the transport hub of the other.
As part of the project, ferry stops will be built on every island, and islands with a wider population will see the development of terminals.