New Taxi Fleet to Feature Smaller Vehicles, Says Transport Minister 

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen announced the government will introduce a taxi service with vehicles of different sizes, including smaller cars to navigate Malé’s narrow roads, to improve transport availability in the capital.

The Transport Ministry has contracted the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to begin preparations for launching the government-run taxi service. Work commenced on 15 February 2025, with the goal of introducing the service within the first week of July. The service will be operated entirely using electric vehicles and will be available around the clock.

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Customers will be able to book taxis through a dedicated application, which will allow them to locate the nearest available vehicle. The ministry confirmed that fares will align with the rates set out in official guidelines, with bookings possible up to seven days in advance without any additional charges.

Minister Ameen explained that the decision to use vehicles of various sizes was influenced by the road structure in Malé, where standard-sized taxis are unable to access certain narrow streets. He noted that larger vehicles will be designated for routes to Hulhumalé and Velana International Airport, while smaller cars will serve inner-city routes.

In response to concerns raised by private taxi drivers, the minister assured that their livelihoods would not be affected by the introduction of the government-run service. He highlighted opportunities for taxi drivers to join the new service on either a full-time or part-time basis, while also affirming that private taxi operations would continue without restrictions.

Taxi drivers have expressed significant apprehension about the government’s plans, warning that the new service could reduce their earnings. Protests have been staged in opposition to the initiative, with drivers calling for the government to reconsider. Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has also voiced support for the taxi drivers, arguing that many of them rely on taxi driving as a secondary source of income and criticising the government’s involvement in operating a taxi service. He additionally raised concerns over legal action taken against drivers arrested during recent demonstrations.

The government maintains that the new service is necessary to address longstanding complaints about the lack of available taxis in Malé and to provide a more reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly transport option for residents and visitors.