Over 8,000 people use Vilimale’ bus service in first four days

Statistics show that over 8,000 people used Maldives Transport and Contracting Company’s (MTCC) Raajje Transport Link (RTL) electric bus service in Vilimale’ as of Monday since its launch.

The electric bus service in Vilimale’ was launched on Friday evening.

Statistics shared with Sun by MTCC show increased bus users each passing day.

Bus users in the first four days;

Friday: 462 people

Saturday: 1,733 people

Sunday: 2,517 people

Monday: 3,397 people

Therefore, in these four days, a total of 8,105 people used the bus service. At present, passengers can travel for free.

While they will be charged after the two-week period, people above 65 and children below three years can still be able to travel for free upon producing their identity cards. Those with disabilities can also travel for free upon producing their NSPA cards.

MTCC said that they were presently working on setting a price for Vilimale’ bus service.

The bus service will be available from 5:35am to 00:00am daily, whereas buses will make stops every 5 to 10 minutes.

MTCC is using six electrically charged buses to provide bus service in Vilimale’. They detailed that the buses could accommodate 15 people at a time – of which there are seats for 11.

As per MTCC, the bus routes were formulated after identifying the areas frequented in Vilimale’ by both residents and visitors. This includes schools, hospital, ferry terminal and beaches.

MTCC has launched the bus service at a time Male’ City Council has revealed they were working to launch electric buggy service in the district early next month.

A total of 10 buggies will be used to provide the service in Vilimale’ which comprises of three four-seaters, three six-seaters, one 12-seater, two for transportation of goods, and one for transportation of sick people.

The buggy service will be available 24 hours.

Buggy services were previously provided in Vilimale’ by private parties which came to halt with the increase of electric motorbikes.

The lack of transportation means within Vilimale’ has been a constant complaint of its residents and visitors.