366 apply for MTCC’s planned state-run taxi service

A total of 366 people have applied to become drivers for the state-run taxi service being developed by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), the company has said.

MTCC last month announced it was seeking to recruit 407 drivers for the service, including 278 full-time and 122 part-time positions. Applications closed on 17 December.

By the deadline, 188 applications had been submitted for full-time roles and 178 for part-time work, according to MTCC.

The taxi service, which will operate 24 hours a day, is expected to be launched next year, although transport minister Mohamed Ameen had earlier said it would begin in July this year.

MTCC has previously said priority would be given to applicants registered on the Ministry of Transport’s official taxi drivers’ registry.

The government decided to enter the taxi market amid public complaints over difficulties in accessing taxi services, despite about 1,500 taxis already being registered.

Earlier, Ameen said the service would initially deploy around 100 vehicles, which he said would bring a noticeable improvement. The taxis will be small vehicles suitable for narrow streets.

MTCC has said the service will use electric vehicles and will be operated through a dedicated mobile application, similar to services such as Uber and Grab.