The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen has moved to allay concerns of private taxi service providers over the imminent launch of a government taxi line for the capital Male’ region.
Private taxi drivers have been voicing concern over the government taxi line, stressing that it will adversely affect their livelihood.
Responding to questions from lawmakers during the Parliament sitting on Wednesday, Minister Ameen explained that the primary reason behind the decision by the government to launch its own taxi line is the lack of availability of taxis to cater to the demand in the Male’ region.
The Minister pointed out that the stark shortage of taxis around the capital is one that does not require extensive research or study.
Defending the decision further, he highlighted the then concerns of private taxi drivers when the previous government introduced bus services to enhance public transportation in the Male’ region, adding that even those concerns have proven to be unfounded.
Minister Ameen said despite 27,000 people utilising the bus service on a daily basis, the bus service had not affected the livelihoods of private taxis.
The government has handed over the project to introduce a taxi line in the capital Male’ region to the state-owned Maldives Transport and Contracting Company Plc (MTCC).
The taxi line will use 100 percent environmentally friendly, electric vehicle (EV) taxis as the government prepares to rollout the initiative in July.
Discussions Underway to Develop Kaadhedhdhoo Airport
Responding to a question by a lawmaker over the dire state of the Kaadedhdhoo Airport, Minister Ameen said discussions are underway with Villa Air, the airport operator, to develop the airport to international standards.
The government is preparing to begin the development of a bridge to connect Thinadhoo and Kaadedhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to develop the Kaadedhdhoo Airport to international standards and connect it to Thinadhoo via a bridge.
"The airport is being operated by a private company. It will be developed in line with the President's plan. It doesn’t matter who is operating that airport as long it is developed to international standards. We are now in dialogue with the airport operator to do that as per our plan,” he explained.
Villa Air filed a lawsuit against the state after the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen terminated the agreement signed with the company in 2013 to operate Kaadedhdhoo Airport for a duration of 50 years.
The airport was handed back to Villa Air in 2022 after the court ruled in favour of the airline.