The government is planning to introduce special buses during peak traffic hours, as well as ‘school-friendly buses’ for schoolchildren, Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed has said.
Speaking at the eighth session of the ‘Ahaa’ forum, the minister said 82 percent of roads in Male’ are currently congested with vehicles. He said a total of 130,806 vehicles are registered in Male’, including 14,911 cars and 115,895 motorcycles.
The minister said while Male’s land area cannot be further expanded, the government’s aim is to make the city a vehicle-registration-controlled zone, reduce the number of vehicles and increase reliance on mass transport. He said a dedicated office has been established to address traffic problems, which has already begun work.
The minister said peak-hour bus services are planned between Hulhumale’ Phase 1 and Phase 2 and Male’, including scheduled services to the Velaanaage area and green zones.
According to the minister, work on the ring road around Male’ is nearing completion, with its completion is expected to ease traffic and facilitate road users. Other measures to manage road congestion include installation of traffic lights, greater police visibility, and measures related to charges on vehicles of certain CCs, as well as actions under the Mass Transport Mobility Plan.
The minister assured that the measures will be carried out in a planned manner and will be pleasing to the people. He expressed hope that the current measures would address the traffic issues in Male’ within the next three years.