Raajje Transport Link (RTL) ferry service has been officially launched in the three atolls of the Bodu Thiladhunmathi region.
RTL services were launched in HA., HDh., and Sh. atoll at a ceremony held in HA. Dhidhdhoo on Tuesday night. The service was inaugurated by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The National Ferry System or RTL service was launched on June 12 this year. The service was first launched in HDh. atoll. and later in HA. atoll. RTL services were launched in Sh. atoll earlier this month. With this service, 41 islands have been connected by the ferry system.
RTL ferries are available for less than MVR 100 per trip, making it more affordable and easy for the people of the northern islands to travel from one atoll to the other.
MTCC is using 17 ferries traveling at 30 knots to provide ferry services to the three northernmost atolls of Zone One. The vessels, built by the UAE's Gulf Craft Company, have been made accessible for people with special needs. The construction of 65 additional ferries has already been commissioned to expand the service.
The national ferry system will connect islands by commute link, non-commute link, and highway link. Commute links are daily trips between nearby islands, while non-commute links are journeys between two islands that are a bit farther apart in distance. This includes non-daily airport trips and business trips. Highway links are long journeys that connect the transport hub of one region to the transport hub of another.
The division of zones under RTL:
Zone One: Ha. | HDh. | Sh.
Zone Two: N. | R. | B. | Lh.
Zone Three: K. | Aa. | ADh. | V.
Zone Four: M. | F. | Dh. | Th. | L.
Zone Five: Ga. | GDh.
Zone Six: Fuvahmulah | Addu City
MTCC has arranged for tickets to be booked and paid under the national ferry system through a portal in the RTL application. Children under three and people with disabilities can ride the ferries free of charge.
The high-speed ferries in MTCC's fleet used in the RTL system have a capacity of 50 passengers and are comfortable for passengers. The ferries have mobile phone charging outlets, toilets, and luggage space. Special arrangements have been made on the ferries for people with special needs.
