Introduction of govt's taxi line would benefit private taxis: Minister

The launch of the government's Electric Vehicle (EV) Taxi Line will not cause any harm to private taxis, but instead would benefit them, said Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen.

The Ministry of Transport signed an agreement with MTCC to introduce the taxi service in the country.

The signing ceremony was held at Meerumaa hall, where Minister Ameen said that taxi services have now become an essential need for the public. Because of this, taxi services need to be improved and solutions are needed for existing issues.

According to the minister, studies conducted by the ministry showed that there were many difficulties for the public in accessing taxi services. Some of the difficulties include;

• Poor quality and safety standards of taxi services.

• Refusal of drivers to take trips to some areas and only only taking trips to where drivers want to go

• Unavailability of taxi services during rush hours

• Drivers charging price they decide on

Ameen said the quality of taxi services declined because although the government had made policies to regulate the service, there was no proper system to monitor it.

“The government has now decided to introduce this taxi line as a 100 percent, environmentally friendly, EV taxi line,” he said.

"However, once this service is started and regulated, we know the services provided by the private sector will also change to the standard, it is a truth we're able to see."

He went on to assure that private taxi businesses would still be able to continue as they are now, and would even be able to join the national taxi line if they wish to do so.

Ameen also pointed out that other developed nations also have state operated taxi lines.

“So, I believe that such a taxi line will not cause any difficulty to those in the taxi service today,” he said.

According to the ministry, MTCC will provide the service through a sustainable system. However, the government will not provide any subsidy to MTCC for services.

Some other details of the EV taxi service include:

• 24 hour service

• Employment opportunities for full and part time drivers

• Employment opportunities for mechanical staff, operational staff and cleaning staff

• Part-time employees will be paid every two weeks

• People living in the islands can work as taxi drivers when they are in Malé for short periods of time to earn additional income

• Taxis can be booked in advance

• Service will be provided at a price fixed by the ministry.