After holding discussions with relevant authorities and taxi drivers, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has decided to review the taxi fares.
Initially, the transport ministry along with Maldives Police Service has begun monitoring and taking action against taxi drivers who take fare more than allocated amount. The police service revealed efforts are now underway to check the taxis providing transportation to Hulhumale', Male' and Hulhule' as part of the initiation of the transport ministry.
However, with several taxi drivers going on strike to protest against the decision, the ministry had now u-turned on the initial decision and has revealed it is willing to review the taxi fares. The ministry would not take action against the taxi drivers hiking the fares until the prices are reviewed.
Even though USD 1.62 was allocated as the taxi fare in Male' and Hulhumale', upon the opening the Sina-Male Bridge to traffic, the transport ministry allocated special fares to the newly connected areas. In this regard, a taxi ride from Male' to Hulhule' must not exceed USD 2.27 and a taxi ride from Male' to Hulhumale' must not exceed USD 2.59, according to the fares allocated by the government.
However, against the regulations of the transport ministry, taxi drivers have been taking fares of about USD 6.47 per ride from Male', Hulhule, and Hulhumale'. Most drivers said the allocated fares are not feasible.
The transport ministry has now decided to hold a public forum, with the participation of the relevant authorities and the taxi drivers, before finalising the new taxi fare.