Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Aishath Nahula has said that minibus service will be introduced next year.

She made made the statement today at the media information session "Nuvagadi" held this morning.

The Transport Minister said that it has already been too late.to introduce the service and the main delay is because the ministry wants bring in smaller vehicles than the environmentally option that is widely available.

Minister Nahula said that instead of bringing a set amount of vehicles, the ministry aims to bring as many as possible to provide the service with ease in Male'City.

While buses received via free aid will be used in the service as well, the Transport Minister said that the introduction of the service requires finding a contractor that can prepare the buses before they are brought into the country.

That particular phase of the program is going through bid basis and the Transport Ministry will be informed of bid winner by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) very soon according to Minister Nahula. From there, the work will continue with the involvement of the President's Office as well.

Transport Ministry signed the agreement with MTCC to introduce minibus service in Male' City on 6 February 2019.