The government has announced that the high-speed Raajje Transport Link (RTL) ferry service will be launched in Laamu and Meemu Atolls before the end of March.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen during a press conference on 4 March, marking continued progress in the administration's key infrastructure initiative.
Operated by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company Limited (MTCC), the RTL service is a cornerstone of the government's policy to provide sustainable and affordable transport links between the nation's scattered atolls. The service expansion follows its successful launch in Faafu and Dhaalu Atolls last month, with Laamu and Meemu next in line for connection.
"The RTL service is being expanded to two more atolls by this month. I am confident that high-speed ferry services will be available to all islands in Laamu and Meemu Atoll," Minister Ameen said, reinforcing the government's commitment.
This initiative aligns directly with the goals outlined in this year’s Presidential Address, where President Dr Mohamed Muizzu declared that the service would be extended to all remaining Atolls by June. Upon launch in a new atoll, residents are granted a week of free travel to experience the service, after which subsidised, low-cost fares are applied for inter-island and connecting atoll routes.
To date, the initiative has seen considerable success, with services now active across 133 islands in 14 atolls. The ongoing expansion is a critical part of the administration's priorities in transportation, aimed at fostering economic growth and improving access to essential services.