Avas App: Govt’s taxi fleet will adversely impact 10,000 people

Taviyani Private Limited which runs Avas App has expressed concern, citing the government held no prior discussions when planning to launch a government-run taxi fleet.

Taxi drivers have expressed significant concern following the government’s decision to launch a government-run taxi fleet. The concerns were intensified as the Transport Ministry contracted Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to commence preparations to launch a taxi service in Male’ area.

Prior to this, Taviyani submitted a RTI request to Transport Ministry seeking information regarding the government’s taxi fleet. The company, on Sunday, disclosed the response they received from the Ministry on December 11^th.

In the RTI, Taviyani sought to inquire how cars were ordered by the government to introduce the taxi fleet and whether the expenses incurred for this purpose is funded through the state budget or through grant assistance. The company also sought whether the government had conducted any research on commencing the taxi service and if so, to disclose the research paper.

Transport Ministry, in its response, said no funding arrangements have been made with respect to the taxi service so far and nor has the government ordered any cars to commence the service. The Ministry also underscored that the government has not received any grant assistance from a foreign nation to commence the service.

Taviyani release a statement on Sunday, referring to the response, in which the company described the government’s decision to commence a taxi service as a decision taken without considering the rights of all individuals currently working in the sector independently. Hence, the company expressed dismay over the government taking such a huge decision in such a manner.

“Even while responding to the RTI submitted to the Ministry, the Ministry had underscored it had not held any discussions on commencing or preparing to commence such a fleet. The introduction of a taxi fleet with assistance from the government will adversely impact the lives of taxi drivers, taxi centres and individuals who rent cars in addition to cause losses to small businesses and eliminate fair competition in the field,” the company said.

According to Taviyani, over 10,000 people will be adversely impacted due to the government’s decision and their rights will be infringed.

Other concerns raised by the company:

• Failure to take adequate action to combat negative behaviors from some taxi drivers
• Allowing certain parties to register vehicles on state-owned land plots in large sums while not allowing the opportunity for the general public to register vehicles
• Defaming taxi drivers and taxi centers without taking into account Male’ roads

As such, Taviyani urged the government to disclose the reason why It had decided to launch a taxi fleet in a manner that infringes the rights of individuals working in the sector.

Notably, the Drivers Association of Maldives has called on the government to revise the decision to launch a taxi service. The government’s decision had also prompted taxi drivers to protest which they had halted after Transport Minister Ameen assured them their concerns would be addressed.

The government signed the MoU with MTCC last week, after ruling PNC’s parliamentary group leader Ibrahim assured the government had no intention to launch a taxi service.