RTL ferry trial in Lhaviyani Atoll extended
Islands in Lhaviyani Atoll are connected by three routes. Morning and evening journeys will take place on each route.
MTCC has indefinitely extended the free trials of ferry service launched in Lhaviyani atoll under the government's Raajje Transport Link (RTL) national transport network.
The ferry service was launched on Tuesday. Earlier, it was decided that the trials would be completed and fares would kick in from Monday.
State planning minister Akram Kamaluddin told Atoll Times on Sunday that the trial period was extended to complete certain arrangements as some arrangements were yet to be fully met. According to him:
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Travel patterns and fares to outer islands in the atoll will be fully finalised during the trial period
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If these arrangements are not in place, the free travel period will be extended
"That's what we've been doing before. Even in HA. and HDh. atolls, we had to do this for three weeks," Akram said.
The service was started in Lhaviyani Atoll as part of the second phase of the project.
Islands in Lhaviyani Atoll are connected by three routes. Morning and evening journeys will take place on each route.
MTCC had earlier said that after the trial period:
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Fares will be between MVR 35-125 for each ticket
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Children below 3 years of age and those with special needs will be able to travel free of cost
According to MTCC, the company will then start operations from the southernmost part of the country.
MTCC aims to connect the entire country through ferry system in the next two years.
