A large number of cars required for the government’s new Male' Taxi Line service, aimed at resolving current difficulties in Malé's public transportation, have arrived in the Maldives.
Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen stated that half of the vehicles required for the first phase of the Taxi Line service were brought to the Maldives today.
While a total of 150 cars are planned to be brought in, MTCC said that 60 cars were brought to the Maldives today under the first shipment. The company estimates that the second shipment will arrive next Sunday. MTCC stated that 90 cars will be brought on that day.
The company further noted that the government's Taxi Line service is scheduled to launch on the 2nd of April.
"The drivers are ready; driver training has been completed. Now, what remains is the start of the service," Minister Ameen said.
The cars brought for the government's taxi service are from the Changan Automobile brand. These include the Lumin, S05, and S07 models.
The cars needed to start the Malé Taxi Line have been brought and are currently at the MPL area. Minister Ameen said that MTCC is currently carrying out the process of clearing the cars. The cars feature the MTCC logo and the Taxi Line's hotline number.
MTCC has decided that permanent drivers for the Malé Taxi Line will wear a special uniform. Part-time drivers will wear vests, according to the company.
The government has not yet revealed the prices for the Malé Taxi Line service.
MTCC has now opened registration for the pool of part-time drivers required for the government's taxi service. Part-time drivers wishing to join the Malé Taxi Line service can register through the portal.
A number was introduced for the government's Taxi Line yesterday. That is 1655. The Taxi Line service, prepared for launch by being tasked to MTCC, will provide service 24 hours a day in a manner where taxis can be requested through an application.
MTCC will provide the taxi service using Electric Vehicles (EVs). This service is set to be provided by establishing a special application for the service, in the style of services provided abroad such as Uber and Grab.
Previously, Transport Minister Ameen stated that 100 vehicles would be brought into service initially. The Minister also said that this would bring a positive change and that these taxis would include small taxis capable of entering narrow lanes.
According to Ameen, the government is entering the taxi business because, although approximately 1,500 cars are currently registered for taxi service, drivers only go out at times they want and travel only to places they want, causing difficulties for the public.
