The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has announced that it will be suspending three minibus routes in Male’ during specific hours throughout the month of Ramadan. The three bus routes to be temporarily suspended are Orchid Route, Ameenee Route and Sosun Route which will be discontinued between 1800 hrs and 2100 hrs during Ramadan.
MTCC stated that the decision to halt bus routes during these times is to minimize the traffic congestion near mosques at these hours. The company also noted that buses themselves face many hurdles in conducting bus services at these hours too with large numbers of vehicles parked outside mosques posing difficulties.
As for the other bus routes in Male’, Hulhumale’ and Villimale’, they will be suspended temporarily between 1800 hrs and 1900 hrs for iftar breaks. The Maldives Police Service has also made a few changes in the greater male region to address heavy traffic flow during Ramadan. Four-wheeled vehicles have been banned from travelling on selected roads while traffic police will carryout special operations to reduce traffic congestion near the Sinamale’ Bridge.