Govt plans dedicated peak-hour buses between Malé and Hulhumalé

The government plans to introduce dedicated bus services for students and office workers travelling between Malé and Hulhumalé during peak hours as part of measures to address traffic congestion in the Greater Malé area, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed said on Sunday.

Saeed, who is also overseeing the transport portfolio, announced the plan while responding to a question during the “Ahaa” public forum organised by the President’s Office and Public Service Media (PSM) on Sunday night.

He said the second phase of the government’s transport plan would include buses operating at designated times from the Hiyaa area and Phase II of Hulhumalé to the Velaanaage and Green Zone areas in Malé.

The service is intended mainly for people commuting from Hulhumalé to workplaces in Malé and others travelling between the two cities during peak periods.

“We plan, under Phase II of this programme, to introduce buses operating at specific times from the Hiyaa tower area and Phase II of Hulhumalé to the Velaanaage area and the Green Zone,” Saeed said.

He said the government was also consulting schools and parents on introducing dedicated school-friendly bus services between Malé and both phases of Hulhumalé.

According to Saeed, the services are intended to reduce difficulties faced by the large number of people who travel between Malé and Hulhumalé for work, education and other purposes.

He said the number of vehicles operating in the Greater Malé area, combined with limited road capacity on the bridge, contributes to congestion during peak periods.

The planned bus services will be introduced alongside the new Land Transport Act and will fall under the Greater Malé Transport and Mobility Office, which will be responsible for coordinating land transport and mobility across the area, Saeed said.

Revenue collected through vehicle fees will also be directed to a Land Transport Mobility Fund established under the new law.

Saeed said he was confident that measures to be implemented under the legislation would provide a substantial solution to Malé’s traffic problems within the next three years.

The Land Transport Act, which includes provisions specifically addressing traffic in Malé, was ratified in August.

The law requires a national land transport strategy to be formulated within six months of its implementation. It also requires the President to establish a five-member National Road Safety Council within 30 days of the law taking effect.

A National Road Safety and Traffic Management Advisory Committee will also be established to advise the ministry on road safety and traffic management.

Under the law, a Traffic Management Centre will be established in the Greater Malé area to coordinate traffic management and improve transport services. The centre’s operations will be managed by the traffic police.