Transport Authority of Maldives has said that prices of ferry tickets between Hulhulé Island and the capital Malé City had been increased against its regulations, and that the matter is being investigated.

Airport Ferry Operator’s Association had on Monday said that the airport ferry prices will be raised due to the introduction of GST charges on ferry transportation, with effect from May 10, 2017. As such, ticket prices are to be raised from MVR 10 to MVR 11, while after midnight tickets will be sold at MVR 21, instead of the normal MVR 20.

However, in a statement released on Monday, Transport Authority said that it was not consulted prior to increasing the airport ferry fare, adding that it cannot be done with the operator’s permission.

According to the Authority, the ferry prices were hiked up “against regulations, without consulting with the relevant institutions”.

“As this is not something that can be done without the operator’s approval, this Authority is investigating [their] announcement to raise the prices of airport ferry fare, and taking the necessary action”, reads the statement.

A senior official of the Airport Ferry Operator’s Association told RaajjeMV that that they had been paying taxes to Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) without including GST on ferry transportation, and that the introduction of GST charges on ferry transportation has caused significant losses to boat owners.