Taxi drivers have begun charging expensive rates for travel in the Male' area despite set fare limits. Transport Ministry has responded by announcing it will soon launch a QR code through which customers can report taxis which overcharge.
Taxis are now charging expensive rates for travel between Hulhumale’/Male’ and Velana International Airport, disregarding the previously set fare limits.
In 2022, amidst protests from drivers demanding fare increases due to rising global fuel prices, taxi fares were adjusted accordingly.
Currently, the fares 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
While the Ministry of Transport explicitly stated that only these amounts can be charged, drivers are disregarding regulations and charging arbitrary price rates for rides.
According to complaints, this morning, some drivers demanded MVR 200 for a trip from the airport to Hulhumale’, which is more than double the permitted price. They openly demanded such a high fare despite the costs of trips being posted on airport boards.
“A tourist who was trying to hail a cab to go to Hulhumale’ from the airport was informed by a driver that he would be charged USD 65 (MVR 925). However, the tourist explained that he knew the real price, which was why the driver did not succeed”, a man at the airport taxi stand said this morning.
The tourist did not accept the driver’s offer and refused to travel at that price as the permitted prices were visible at the airport and the proposed fare was too expensive.
Different drivers charge varying prices. Taxis are permitted to access the domestic terminal of the airport, with an additional MVR 30 being charged to reach the area.
The additional MVR 30 charged by some drivers to reach the domestic terminal is not an authorized price. Drivers claim that they have to take a longer route to reach the domestic terminal, hence the extra charge.
President of the Drivers’ Association, Abdulla Ibrahim, stated that no taxis have been instructed to change their prices, nor has there been any discussions about it.
On the issue of taxi drivers charging high prices, he said it was due to a mutual agreement between the driver and the customer.
“I believe both parties agree to the defined price. Sometimes, drivers may adjust the price based on traffic congestion”, Abdulla said. “However, we will not be increasing the price”.
Deputy Transport Minister Awad Ayaz stated that the ministry has taken notice of the issue. He said that there is no decision to change taxi fares and that the pricing discrepancies are initiated by taxi drivers themselves.
“We are working with Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) to establish a reporting system to resolve the issue”, he said.
He added that the airport taxi queue board is currently being worked on and once it is completed, the fares will be clearly visible to customers. “There will be a QR code. It will enable the public to report taxis charging high prices immediately”, Awad said. “The boards will be installed and it will start very soon”.
Latest changes to taxi fares: - MVR 30 for domestic travel in Male’ and Hulhumale’ (previously MVR 25) - MVR 85 for travel between Male’ and Hulhumale’ Phase 1 (previously MVR 75) - MVR 100 for travel between Male’ and Hulhumale’ Phase 2 - MVR 70 for travel between Male’ and Velana International Airport - MVR 80 for travel between Hulhumale’ Phase 1 and Velana International Airport - MVR 85 for travel between Hulhumale’ Phase 2 and Velana International Airport - MVR 40 for travel between Hulhumale’ Phase 1 and Hulhumale’ Phase 2
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