Govt’s taxi line to include small sized cars for narrower roads

Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen, on Wednesday, states the government’s taxi fleet will include taxis of different sizes including ones able to access narrower roads in Male’.

Transport Ministry contracted Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to commence preparations to launch a taxi service in Male’ area on February 15^th.

Taxi drivers have expressed significant concern following the government’s decision to launch a government-run taxi service, fearing it could lead to financial losses for them.

Minister Ameen, while answering questions during Wednesday’s parliamentary sittings, explained why private taxi service providers would not be adversely affected by the launch of the government-run taxi service.

In this regard, he detailed that taxi drivers can be employed for the government-run taxi service on a full-time or part-time basis.

He assured there would be no obstruction to taxi drivers who wish to continue providing taxi services privately, and as such, they would face no losses.

“The reality we see is the dire need for a taxi service in the Male’ area. A high number of complaints are received due to the unavailability of taxis on demand. It is very difficult to get a taxi to travel from one location to the other in Male’. Usually, taxis are only available to travel to Hulhumale’ or airport at a high price,” he said.

The Minister noted that the term “taxi” suggests cars of the same size to most people. On contrary, he said the government’s taxi fleet will include cars of various sizes.

“The taxi-link, which the government has decided to introduce, will not consist of cars that are all the same size. There will be several sizes, including ones that can access very narrow roads in Male’,” he detailed.

Moreover, he said there will be specific-sized cars to travel to Hulhumale’ and the airport.

The Minister attributed opting to different size of cars due to the road structure of Male’ which would prevent same-sized cars from accessing all roads; something which can be resolved by different-sized cars.

Prior to this, Minister Ameen has stated government has found a party to supply vehicles for the taxi fleet, while MTCC is currently working on developing the application for the taxi service and setting up charging stations for the vehicles.

The Minister said the goal was to complete the work and commence the taxi service within the first week of July.

MTCC has stated that the government’s taxi fleet will be fully comprised of electric vehicles.

As per the company, the taxi service, which will be available 24 hours, will be provided via a special application. Customers can identify which taxi is the nearest to their location via the application.

Transport Ministry states the government’s taxi service will also be provided at the same rates declared by the Ministry in its guidelines. Bookings can be made seven days earlier to attain the service, without any additional charge.

Taxi drivers who were enraged over the government’s decision to launch a taxi service have held protests as well. 

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom echoed the concerns of taxi drivers, arguing that there is no justification for the government to operate a taxi service. He described taxi drivers as hardworking individuals who often work long hours, noting that many are not full-time drivers but take up the job in their spare time to cope with financial hardships.

Yameen also voiced concern over charges being pressed against taxi drivers who were arrested during a recent protest.