The Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works has taken over 21 ferry stops in the North, which will be assigned to the relevant local council for management.
These ferry stops are part of the Raajje Transport Link (RTL), which connects the entire country through a single public transportation network of ferries and buses.
The agreement for the handover was signed between the Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, RTL operator Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) and the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.
Under the agreement, the ferry stops in Zone 1 which consists of islands in Haa Alifu Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, and Shaviyani Atoll have been handed over to the Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works which will be managed by the relevant island council.
The Ministry of Administrative Affairs said along with the ferry stops the commercial spaces will also be transferred to the councils which will afford the opportunity for them to generate revenue.
The task of linking the islands nationwide through transportation services has been assigned to MTCC with operations divided into six primary zones. RTL has established connections with a total of 81 islands of nine atolls, through ferry transportation services.
The government is planning to introduce RTL service in Raa and Baa Atolls by July this year.