Taxi meter installation soon: Transport Ministry

Ministry of Transport on Thursday announced it will begin efforts to install fare meters on taxis soon, in a bid to improve taxicab services and counter the existing issues.

Deputy Transport Minister Ali Mohamed, while speaking on PSM News program "Raajje Miadhu" said the ministry is specifically prioritizing the introduction of meters of taxi.

Ali confirmed the authority has already conducted a survey necessary for the introduction of meter taxis.

"We have held stakeholder meetings in light of the survey, including drivers, and cabbies registered on ride apps, as well as taxi centers," Ali said.

He also stressed importance of introducing taxi meters to rectify current issues taxi industry faces.

"The ministry is already working on a framework required for this, and with God's grace we intend to implement promptly," he said.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted that the survey findings indicated public's demand for such amendments soon. He added that the drivers, taxi centers, and the ministry are in need of these changes as well.

Recently, the ministry revised taxi fare prices of Greater Male' Area, which included fare rates for seven to 10-seater taxis, and allowed additional charges for airport transfers on top of the fixed rates.