Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has decided to allow passengers to use the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) minibus service in Male' City free of charge for two more weeks.
Speaking to PSM News, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTCC Adam Azim said the decision was made after discussions with the relevant authorities to allow residents more time to familiarise themselves with the minibus service and the RTL web portal and mobile application.
After two weeks, passengers will be able to book tickets using the RTL web portal, with tickets priced at USD0.45. The amount is significantly cheaper than the taxi fare in Male’, which is USD1.94. However, school students, disabled persons, senior citizens, and children under three years of age will still be able to travel on the minibuses free of charge.
Additionally, Passengers can book bus tickets using the RTL mobile application after registering and logging into the service. Passengers can choose the bus route and purchase the ticket, which will be valid for seven days and will be able to travel on the minibus after scanning the QR code for the ticket.
Currently, the only means of booking tickets are by using the web portal and mobile application. However, MTCC is working to allow passengers to purchase tickets using their cash cards. The state-owned company is also conducting programmes for residents of Male’ to become familiarised with the minibus service.
MTCC commenced the minibus service on September 5. The bus routes have been established to make it easy for school students, office workers, and individuals travelling to hospitals to reach their destinations within 10 minutes from the farthest bus stops. The bus routes are interconnected to areas in Henveiru and Maafannu and each bus stop is a five-minute walk away from the other.
MTCC is using 18 minibuses to make ten-minute stops at bus stops established on three routes, which are the Orchid route, Sosun route, and Ameenee route.