Free Ferry Rides for Medical Travel Coming Soon

The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has announced that patients travelling for major or chronic medical treatment will soon be able to ride RTL ferries free of charge.
Deputy Minister Ibrahim Yasir shared the update on national TV, explaining that this plan will be made possible through coordination between the ministry, the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), and the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).

According to Yasir, a special BML card will be issued by NSPA, which patients and one assistant can use for free travel on RTL ferry routes. He confirmed that multiple discussions have already taken place and implementation is near.

RTL ferry services are now available in every northern and southern atoll, with Baa Atoll being the latest to join last Monday. The government expects to cover all atolls by year-end.
The ferry project, run by MTCC, is valued at MVR 800 million. In May, the Indian government supported the project with a MVR 100 million grant. These funds will go towards building 12 new high-speed ferries.

Once the full project is complete, 80 high-speed ferries will operate throughout the country, offering a major boost in accessibility for residents needing inter-island travel.