Gov’t Taxi Line to Launch in July with 24-Hour App-Based Service
The taxi line will be available 24 hours a day and accessed through a mobile application. | Photo credit: MV+
Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen announced yesterday that the government’s new taxi line is set to launch in the first week of July, aiming to address ongoing challenges in public transport.
Speaking on a state media programme, Minister Ameen said the service is currently being developed and will be operated by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). The taxi line will be available 24 hours a day and accessed through a mobile application.
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He noted that MTCC has already announced the procurement of the required number of taxis to begin operations and is undertaking necessary preparations for charging and maintaining the fleet. “We hope the service will be launched by the end of June and the first week of July,” he said.
Responding to questions about the government’s decision to introduce a public taxi service, Minister Ameen said the current system is outdated and failing to meet the needs of the public. While around 1,500 vehicles are registered for taxi use, people continue to face difficulties securing transport when and where they want it. “There is this difficulty. There are issues of standards and quality. There are also issues of discipline in service delivery,” he said.
The new service will be introduced in three phases. The first phase, later this year, will cover Malé, Hulhumalé and Velana International Airport. The second phase, in 2026 and 2027, will see expansion to Villimalé and Thilafushi. The third phase, planned for 2028 and 2029, will extend the service to Ras Malé, Giraavaru, Addu, Fuvahmulah and Kulhudhuffushi.
Initially, 100 electric vehicles will be deployed, and the service will operate in a style similar to that of international platforms such as Uber and Grab. Minister Ameen said the move is expected to bring about a positive shift in transport services, aligning with practices in other countries where governments maintain regulatory control.
