More than 30 taxi complaints received via QR code: Transport Ministry

More than 30 complaints related to taxis overcharging for trips within the Malé area have been submitted via the dedicated complaint submission QR code, revealed Transport Ministry today.

The Ministry's comment came following an angry netizen's post on social media highlighting that the complaint submission QR code at Velana International Airport (VIA) was not functional.

When asked about the matter, an official from the Ministry told local media outlet 'Mihaaru' that the news of the QR code not working isnt accurate.

"There have been no issues since the code has been in use. Complaints have come in through the code even yesterday and today. When complaints come in about some taxi drivers over charging [customers] on their own, we call the individual and the taxi center and work on it," said the official.

As such, the official revealed that more than 30 complaints have come in through the QR code so far, which are all being investigated individually.

"We have put together a special committee to look into those complaints. The committee is reviewing the issues," they said, adding that the committee's role is to call the driver and advise against repetition of such incidents.

With the rise of incidents of taxi drivers attempting to overcharge passengers, Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen recently said that the ministry is now working on establishing a modern taxi line to alleviate the issue.

Current taxi fairs as established by the Ministry are:

- Male' to Hulhumale' Phase 1 - MVR 85 - Male’ to Hulhumale’ Phase 2 - MVR 100 - Male’ to Velana International Airport - MVR 70 - Hulhumale' Phase 1 to Velana International Airport - MVR 80 - Hulhumale’ Phase 2 to Velana International Airport - MVR 85

However, taxi drivers have been reported to be overcharging passengers, sometimes ten times higher than the allowed fare.

Taxis continue to charge double the permitted price, Ministry to launch QR code for reporting

The Edition