Special buses to be introduced for traffic peak hours, school children

Transport Minister Mohamed Saeed, on Sunday night, revealed that efforts are underway to introduce dedicated bus services during hours where traffic peak, as well as specialized buses for schoolchildren in the Malé region.

Speaking during the ‘Ahaa’ public forum, which provides a platform for the public to question government ministers, Saeed highlighted ongoing measures to address traffic congestion in the Malé area. He noted that initiatives such as installing traffic lights at major intersections and increasing the deployment of police officers in high-traffic areas are currently being implemented.

The Minister observed that the increased police presence on the streets is already becoming noticeable.

“Furthermore, as a significant number of people commute from Hulhumalé Phase 1 and Phase 2 to Malé for work—and vice versa during rush hours—our plan includes introducing scheduled bus trips from Phase 2 specifically to the Velaanaage area and the Green Zone during designated times,” the Minister revealed.

Additionally, he stated that following discussions with school heads and parents, the government is considering introducing dedicated school bus services operating between both phases of Hulhumalé and Malé.

“The purpose of this initiative is to provide an alternative for the large number of people who currently commute to offices using motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicles. Given the physical limitations of the bridge and highway, where expanding road capacity is not an option, this is a necessary step,” the Minister said.