The Raajje Transport Link (RTL) ferry services will be expanded to link the four southernmost atolls of the Maldives this month.
Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC)'s CERo, Adam Azim, told AVAS that preparations are underway to establish an RTL link connecting Addu City, Fuvahmulah City, and Huvadhu Atoll, which comprises Gaafu Alif and Gaafu Dhaalu.
The ferry route will connect Addu City to Fuvahmulah and Fuvahmulah to Huvadhoo Atoll. The move will eliminate regional transit hurdles for the residents of the four islands, Azim said,
"The ferries to be used for these trips have already been received," Azim said.
While ferry services are about to begin in the south, RTL ferry services are also set to connect Addu islands. Azim said employees are currently been trained to ensure the delivery of quality services.
The national ferry system connects islands across the Maldives 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 zone divisions 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 introduced an online booking and payment portal through the RTL application, enabling convenient access to tickets within the national ferry system. Children under three years of age and individuals with disabilities can travel on the ferries free of charge.
MTCC's fleet of high-speed ferries offers a comfortable and accommodating experience for passengers. Equipped with amenities such as mobile phone charging outlets, toilets, and ample luggage space, the ferries have also been specially designed to cater to the needs of individuals with disabilities.
