Transport Authority removes restriction on number of taxi permits issued in Male

Transport Authority of Maldives has today removed the restriction to the limit on the number of taxi permits issued in Male’.

Chairman of the Transport Authority of Maldives Abdul Rasheed Nafiz told Sun that the opportunity to apply for permits is now open for who wish to taxi in the capital Male'.

“But the permits will be granted to vehicles that have already been brought into the country. Permits will be granted if you apply for a permit for a car that is already imported, but permits will not be allowed for newly imported cars henceforth,” Abdul RAsheed Nafiz said.

Nafiz said that the authority decided on removing the restriction after considering the recent increase in public complaints regarding availability of taxi’s in Male’.

“This will allow more cars than that exists now, to be active as taxis. There is no deadline for application. We will grant the permission, regardless when it is submited,” he said.

Transport Authority of Maldives public frustrations of taxi centres refusing to answer calls is a persistent complaint to the authority.

Taxi license owners selling their licenses to the highest bidder has also been a recent issue of debate. The authority has taken no action to counter these black market deals.

According to Transport Authority of Maldives, a total of 650 parties have been granted the license drive taxi’s in Male’. A mere 50 to 60 taxi provide regular services to the public, the authority said.