President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu met with members of the Taxi Drivers’ Association on Tuesday, amid pushback from taxi drivers on his administration’s plan to introduce a government taxi line.
The meeting took place at the President’s Office in the morning.
According to a statement released by the President’s Office, the members of the TDA highlighted challenges faced by taxi drivers and discussed ways to further improve taxi services.
They also shared suggestions to enhance the registration and parking of taxi vehicles compared with the previous system, and outlined immediate changes required in Male’ City to help reduce traffic congestion.
According to the President’s Office, the taxi drivers discussed establishing a comprehensive registry for taxi drivers, and also “expressed their views” on the taxi line the government is preparing to launch – something that has sparked protests in the capital.
President’s Office said that President Muizzu emphasized the importance of maintaining a comprehensive and up-to-date registry for taxi drivers, and outlined the government’s plans to provide additional facilities for those in the sector.
“He further assured members that the government would work closely with taxi drivers and other relevant stakeholders to address the concerns raised by the association,” reads the statement.
Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen had previously said the taxi line – a full-fledged EV one – will launch in July. But in June, he said that the government would not be able to meet the original deadline as it would take more time to custom-build the vehicles, and that they now expected the taxi line to be in service in August.
But the government was unable to meet the August deadline either.
In September, Ameen said the work was in the final stage, and that the vehicles were being modified.
He declined to provide a new deadline.
In November, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), which has been tasked with operating the Male’ taxi line, announced that they were looking for 285 full-time drivers and 122 part-time drivers to work for the taxi line.
The decision by the government to introduce a taxi line has prompted concern from the private sector, regarding the potential impact it would have on private taxi services.
Ameen has provided assurance it will not affect private taxi services.