Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has officially taken over the public transport services operated by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL).
The agreement to transfer the services to MTCC for a period of 50 years was signed during a special ceremony held on July 1. Following the signing of the agreement, all land and marine transport services provided by MPL would be transferred to MTCC.
Although public transport is not officially under the scope of MPL, the company has operated transport services over the last five years. As such, MPL had operated the bus services between Male’ and Hulhumale’, as well as ferry services in some atolls. All services have now been transferred to MTCC.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, CEO of MTCC Adam Azim acknowledged the high quality of service provided by MPL, noting it is a challenge for MTCC to maintain and further improve the standards of the services. However, he assured that MTCC remains committed to establish a strong public transport service across the country under its transport network.
Meanwhile, CEO of MPL Shahid Ali said the company had provided the public transport services over the last five years in a national spirit, which was the key to the success of the operations. He expressed confidence the services will be further strengthened when it is taken over by the main company providing transport services in the country.
Under the agreement signed on July 1, a period of 60 days has been provided to complete the transition of services from MPL and MTCC. MPL states the MPL staff who were working in transport services would also be transferred to MTCC.