Taxi drivers urge govt to review new van fares

Taxi drivers on Wednesday urged the government to review the new fares for 7-10 seaters saying that it was over 40 percent less than their normal fare.

Transport ministry had announced new taxi fares for capital Male amid mounting public complaints of drivers overcharging.

The new fare for taxi rides around the greater Male region also included fares for 7-10 seaters which until then had been unregulated.

Several 7-10 seater taxi drivers held a press conference on Wednesday to voice concerns over the new fares and urged the government not intervene in the taxi service.

"The government during several meetings before had promised us that it would not meddle with the fares until meters can be introduced. But now fares announced by the government are 40 percent less," a taxi driver lamented.

He said the cost of living, especially in the capital region had increased exponentially and the new fares make it difficult for taxi drivers to make ends meet. 

The taxi drivers also accused the government of planning to take over the taxi service through a state-owned firm.

They demanded the government to review the new fares and not to takeover their livelihood.

New Van Taxi Fares