Taxi drivers' protest ceased after Minister Ameen gives assurance

Taxi drivers brought their protests to an end yesterday after Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen assured them that the government is not intending to launch their own taxi service at this time, and that they would take into consideration the concerns raised by drivers.

Protestors gathered outside the Umar Zahir Building in Hulhumale' Phase 1, which houses the Transport Ministry, yesterday demanded that the government cease any plans to create competition for their services, which is their fundamental means of income.

The drivers staged the protest due to the 'Male' Fahi' programme launched by the Transport Ministry last week which included plans to establish a safe, reliable taxi line.

Minister Ameen met with taxi drivers yesterday afternoon and listened to their concerns.

Drivers who joined this meeting said that they had voiced their concerns regarding the introduction of a government run taxi service, which would affect their livelihoods, as well as the issue of taxis being towed by the Police at night.

The Minister assured that the measures being taken would not adversely effect drivers' livelihoods, the drivers said. They cited the Minister as saying that the government does not wish to enter taxi service, and that the plans actually involve not the introduction of the service, but rather, conducting a research.

Drivers said that the government would take about two years to implement any such plans even if they conduct the research at present.

They further said that the Minister had been confident that even if the service is launched, it would not affect current taxi services, and added that through the service, the government would provide financial aid to those facing difficulties.

The drivers also appealed to the Minister to revise the taxi fares for seven seater vehicles making trips to the airport, saying that the current fee is 40 percent lower than the fee that was charged earlier.

According to them, the Minister also said that the traffic issues at the airport will be resolved in about a week.