Contrary to the rates set by the government, some taxi drivers have begun independently setting prices and charging high rates for trips between Malé, Hulhulé/Hulhumalé, and from Velana International Airport to Hulhumalé.
Due to the multi-fold increase in global oil prices caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East, STO yesterday increased the price of fuel sold to private businesses in the Maldives as well.
However, STO today arranged for fuel to be provided at the previously established rates for those providing public transportation and public ferry services.
A taxi driver from Avas Ride said tonight that because petrol prices are rising, taxi centers have informed drivers tonight to charge higher prices for taxi trips.
"Taxi drivers were informed by the center tonight to change the prices," the driver said.
The centers instructed trips to be made at prices higher than those authorized by the Ministry of Transport. However, since some taxis were already charging whatever price they wanted even before the change in fuel prices, the Ministry has requested that instances of overcharging be reported.
Prices the center tonight instructed to charge passengers:
- Malé - Hulhumalé Phase 1: MVR 95
- Malé - Hulhumalé Phase 2: MVR 120
- Malé - Hulhulé: MVR 85
- Hulhumalé Phase 1 - Hulhulé: MVR 95
- Hulhumalé Phase 2 - Hulhulé: MVR 95
Although instructions were given to charge these rates, these are not prices authorized by the Ministry. The Ministry of Transport has previously announced that taxi trips can only be made at the rates determined and publicized.
Taxi rates authorized by the Transport Ministry:
- Internal trips within Malé or Hulhumalé: MVR 30
- Malé to Hulhumalé Phase 1: MVR 85
- Malé to Hulhumalé Phase 2: MVR 100
- Malé to Hulhulé: MVR 70
- Hulhumalé 1 to Hulhulé: MVR 80
- Hulhumalé 2 to Hulhulé: MVR 85
- Hulhumalé 1 to Hulhumalé 2: MVR 40
