To resolve the current difficulties faced in public transportation, registration has been opened for the pool of part-time drivers required for the Taxi Line service being started by the government.
It was initially stated that this service would begin around July of last year. However, the launch of the Taxi Line was delayed, and MTCC has now stated that the service will begin very soon.
MTCC said that part-time drivers wishing to join the Malé Taxi Line service can register in the part-time driver pool through the portal.
In November of last year, an announcement was also made to find drivers to work in the Taxi Line. At that time, the announcement stated that 407 drivers were required for the service. Out of those, 122 drivers were sought to work on a part-time basis.
However, 366 people applied at that time. This included 188 applications requesting to work full-time and 178 applications submitted to work part-time. Following that, walk-in interviews were also conducted to find drivers.
While MTCC has stated that the taxi service will be launched very soon, a number was introduced for the line yesterday: 1655.
The Taxi Line service, which is being prepared for launch by being tasked to MTCC, will provide service 24 hours a day in a manner where taxis can be requested through an application.
MTCC will provide the taxi service using Electric Vehicles (EVs). This service is set to be provided by establishing a special application for the service, in the style of services provided abroad such as Uber and Grab.
Previously, Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen stated that 100 vehicles would be brought into service initially. The Minister also said that this would bring a positive change and that these taxis would include small taxis capable of entering narrow lanes.
According to Ameen, the government is entering the taxi business because, although approximately 1,500 cars are currently registered for taxi service, drivers only go out at times they want and travel only to places they want, causing difficulties for the public.
