Saeed doesn't give timeline for resolving RTL ferry disruptions
The minister said the remaining atolls would be connected to the network before January next year.
Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed did not provide a timeline for resolving disruptions to the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) ferry service when questioned in Parliament on Monday, instead focusing on the expansion of the network.
During the sitting, opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MPs raised concerns over the frequent cancellation of RTL ferry services in atolls where the network is already operating.
Kanditheemu MP Ameen Faisal asked when the technical issues affecting RTL ferries would be resolved and when services would return to their normal schedule.
In response, Saeed referred to recent remarks by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on the RTL project. He said the service has yet to be introduced in only five atolls and is currently operating in 15 atolls using 35 speedboats.
The minister said the remaining atolls would be connected to the network before January next year.
However, he did not directly answer the question on the causes of the service disruptions or when recurring ferry cancellations would be addressed.
Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyadh subsequently repeated the question, asking specifically what measures were being taken to resolve the repeated cancellations.
Saeed again responded by referring to the planned expansion of the network, stating that RTL services would begin in the remaining five atolls before next January.
The RTL network is operated by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company under a government contract. According to the government, the project is intended to provide affordable public sea transport and establish an integrated transport network across the Maldives.
