Avas Ride raises concerns over govt's taxi service
Avas Ride called on the public to oppose the government’s decision.
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Avas Ride has stated that the government's intervention in the taxi service sector will negatively impact the livelihoods of 10,000 individuals.
Under the 'Fahi Male' programme, the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has been awarded the contract to operate an electric vehicle (EV) taxi service. The service, which will integrate with the RTL bus network, will run 24 hours a day.
In a press release issued Sunday, Avas Ride expressed concerns over the introduction of a state-sponsored taxi fleet. The company stated that this initiative would affect taxi drivers and hire car operators, disrupt small businesses, and undermine fair competition in the sector.
The statement highlighted several issues, including:
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Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen previously stated that the government would conduct consultations and studies before launching the taxi fleet. However, the decision was made without engaging taxi operators.
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A response to a Right to Information (RTI) request submitted to the ministry indicated that no prior discussions were held regarding preparations for the government’s taxi service.
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The Ministry of Transport has not yet clarified the regulations for operating taxi services.
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The government has not implemented measures to address concerns regarding driver conduct.
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No assessment has been conducted to determine the reasons for unfulfilled ride requests, leading to criticism of drivers and service providers without considering road conditions in the city.
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While city roads are congested, certain individuals are permitted to register multiple vehicles on state-owned land, while others face restrictions.
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The concerns raised with the Ministry of Transport have not been adequately addressed.
Avas Ride called on the public to oppose the government’s decision, stating that the company would take necessary legal measures to protect independent taxi drivers' rights.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at MTCC, Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen stated that securing taxi services in Malé remains a challenge due to the lack of a monitoring system. He added that the government’s decision to introduce a new taxi fleet was aimed at improving the service rather than engaging in the business itself.
