Complaints from the public have increased with taxi drivers being against accepting shorter rides as they take longer due to the roads in Male' being congested.
This has caused a strain on the people who want to get from one place to the other via a taxi in Male'. Taxi drivers are now accepting longer trips that will take them across the bridge.
The Male' Taxi Line service by MTCC that will begin operating on Thursday will see the biggest change in Male', where the issue of not being able to get taxi trips in Male' will be solved.
150 environmentally friendly electronic cars will be brought into Maldives so that the government's Taxi Line service may begin, with some of the vehicles having been brought to Male' already.
The Lumin Model
The General Manager of MTCC's Transport Division Abdulla Farish told Mihaaru News that three car models will be brought to Maldives for the Taxi Line service, with cars of a certain model that will be used specifically to be driven in Male'.
- 70 Lumin model cars to be driven in Male'.
- Four-person capacity including the driver.
- Small and handheld luggage can be put in the trunk.
Farish said that they properly researched the model of car that would be easy to be driven around the roads of Male'.
"We have introduced the Lumin for the purpose of it being able to traverse as many roads in Male' as possible," said Farish.
According to Farish, the Lumins will be smaller than the current cars that are usually being driven in Male'. The Lumin has a length of 3.27 meters and a width of 1.70 meters, with a turn radius of 4.6 meters. This would make it easier to enter narrower roads and make U-turns.
"This is the highest recommended vehicle out of the smaller selection of cars. These models are designed for small and compact cities," said Farish.
The Deepal S05 Model
Farish stated that the Taxi Line service will include a car model that will allow for travel specifically between Male', Hulhumale' and Velana International Airport, with the capacity to hold large luggage and be equally as spacious for passengers, with the model being the Deepal S05.
- 60 Deepal S05's will be driven.
- Five person capacity including the driver.
- Can hold luggage in the front and trunk of the car.
"Unlike electronic vehicles such as the S05 and the S07 which have no engine in the bonnet, normal vehicles have an engine when you open up the bonnet. However, electronic vehicles allow luggage to be put into the bonnet due to a lack of an engine," stated Farish.
The Deepal S07 Model
- 20 Deepal S07's will be driven.
- Five-person capacity including the driver.
- Can hold luggage in the front and trunk of the car.
Driver and Customer Safety
Farish said that the cars will have special security features to ensure driver and customer safety.
All of the vehicles will have cameras with 360 degrees of view, stated Farish.
"The cameras will record everything for the sake of driver and customer safety. If something were to happen, MTCC will ensure safety and guarantee to the customers," as was said by Farish.
"All of the vehicles will have comfortable leather seats that will ensure comfortable and easy transport. It is efficient and includes leg space as well."
Farish went on to say that the car is equipped with sensors and alarm that will ensure safety for all customers.
As per Farish, MTCC will assign drivers once customers make a travel request via the application. He said that this would solve the issue of drivers taking trips only to specific places.
He stated that the Taxi Line service was introduced by MTCC to provide ease for general travel, as are their other public transport services. Similar to their bus service and the RTL ferry service, the Taxi Line service will make transport easier for the public and will bring about major changes, according to Farish.
MTCC has trained drivers to operate these vehicles.
The cars have MTCC's logo and the hotline number for the Taxi Line, 1655, on the rear. The service will be available for 24 hours via a mobile application.
The permanent drivers for the Male' Taxi Line will wear special uniforms. Part-time drivers will wear vests.
Even though around 1,500 cars have been registered for the government's taxi business and its taxi service, this service is meant to find a permanent solution to the complaints being made by the public that taxi drivers are starting their service whenever they want and are only taking trips they deem are worth it.
