Bus service inaugurated in Laamu atoll

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has inaugurated the bus service in the inter link islands of Laamu atoll under "Hahdhunmathi Transport Link (HTL).

At a special ceremony held at the Laamu Fonadhoo School today, the HTL was inaugurated by the Economic Minister, Mohamed Saeed.

The CEO of MPL, Abdul-Razzaq Haleem along with the MP for Fonadhoo constituency and Deputy Speaker, Abdul-Raheem Abdulla, MP for Isdhoo constituency, Ahmed Rashee attended the ceremony alongside the Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives and the senior staff of the Economi Ministry and the MPL.

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MPL is set to begin the service with four vehicles in the 17 km stretch of the Laamu Atoll Link Road with two vehicles with a passenger capacity of 30 and another two with the capacity of 50 passengers. All four are AC buses in good condition.

HTL bus will be making four stops in Fonadhoo (Kurimagu, BML Harbor, Naaira Workshop and Aamiskiy Magu), Kahdhoo Airport, Maandhoo Fisheries Complex and Gan (Mukurimagu Annex, Mathimaradhoo Schoo, Hospital, Thundee Noofaru, Vunadhaana Hingun and Thundee Harbor). Services will begin at 6:45 a.m.

Speaking at the ceremony today, the CEO of MPL, Haleem said that MPL getting a foothold with the HTL is a joy to the company and assured continual service to the people. He also announced that children under 2 years and people over 65 years can travel free on the HTL.

Economic Ministry contracted the bus service in Laamu atoll to MPL on 18 September 2017 where MPL agreed to begin service within a month.

Haleem said that MPL has been able to begin the HTL service in 25 days.

The inauguration of the HTL has reduced the cost of transportaion on the Laamu Link Road significantly with bus fares between MVR 10-25 as opposed to the near MVR 200 via taxi.

MPL CEO, Haleem, said that HTL service will begin tomorrow morning and will be free until 20 October 2017.

He said that HTL is a doorway to social and economic progress and the company aims to develop the service further with buses from Fonadhoo to Isdhoo as well.

Speaking at the ceremony today, Economic Minister, Saeed, said that MPL's HTL service is the top quality bus service in the country and would create more jobs in the atoll.

Bus fares:

- Fonadhoo to Gan: MVR 25

- Fonadhoo to Kahdhoo/Maandhoo: MVR 15

- Gan to Kahdhoo/Maandhoo: MVR 20

- Other sectors: MVR 10

- Luggage: MVR 5