Maldives Gov’t to Launch its Own Taxi Line in Mid-2025

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).

Director General of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation Ahmed Shameem signed the agreement on behalf of the Ministry to initiate an environmentally friendly taxi service while MTCC’s Managing Director Ahmed Saudy signed the agreement on behalf of the state-owned firm.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, the Minister of Transport and Civil Mohamed Ameen said the taxi line will use 100 percent environmentally friendly, electric vehicle (EV) taxis.

The Minister was quick to assure that the government taxi line would not adversely impact private taxi lines and cab drivers.

According to the Minister, MTCC will launch the new taxi line by the middle of the year, adding that it will open up opportunities for part time and full time cabbies.

“The taxi service will be managed by MTCC through a software similar to Uber or Grab concept. MTCC will manage it directly instead of the taxi drivers. People will be able to get a taxi within two minutes after requesting it. With this service, we will be able to solve the current airport taxi queue problem,” Minister Ameen explained.

MTCC Managing Director Saudy said the opportunity to join the taxi line as a cabbier will be opened, adding that potential taxi drivers would need to pass a special awareness programme before they will be allowed to drive for the new taxi line.

“The plan is to pay the part-time tax drivers every week or two weeks. This is an opportunity that even the unemployed can use as part of the president’s policy. We really need to address the traffic problem through this taxi line,” he explained.

The decision by the government to introduce its own taxi line comes at the back of mounting complaints of poor quality, high taxi fares and unavailability of taxis in the capital Malé region.