Taxi centers have decided to charge higher taxi fares despite the government not authorizing the move.
Taxi centers have been demanding to increase taxi fares stating that the recent hike in oil prices is causing significant losses to the centers and their drivers. They sent a letter to Transport Minister Aishath Nahla requesting to raise taxi fares and granted until March 10 to respond to the letter. They threatened to raise the fares effective from March 10 onwards if the Transport Ministry did not officially raise the fares.
Since no response was received by the deadline, the drivers said higher fares would be charged from now. Their fares will be displayed, and only customers who agree to their prices will use their services, they said.
The new fares proposed by taxi centers:
Rides within Male' City: MVR 30
Rides within Hulhumale' Phase II: MVR 25
Rides within Hulhumale' Phase I: MVR 25
Rides between Hulhumale' Phase I and Phase II: MVR 40
Rides between Hulhumale' Phase II and Male': MVR 120
Rides between Hulhumale' Phase I and Male': MVR 100
Rides between Hulhule Airport and Male': MVR 80
Rides between Hulhule Airport and Hulhumale': MVR 80
Rides between Hulhule Airport Seaplane Terminal and Male': MVR 100
Rides between Hulhule Airport Seaplane Terminal and Hulhumale' Phase I: MVR 100
Rides between Hulhule Airport Seaplane Terminal and Hulhumale' Phase II: MVR 120
An extra charge of MVR 5 will be applicable for rides after 0000 hrs.
The taxi fares set by the Transport Ministry are:
Rides within Male': MVR 25
Rides within Hulhumale': MVR 25
Rides between Male' and Hulhule: MVR 60
Rides between Hulhumale' and Hulhule: MVR 60
Rides between Male' and Hulhumale': MVR 75
Authorities have warned that action will be taken against drivers that charge higher than the authorized taxi fares. The Road Police announced on its official Facebook page the highest fares that can be charged by taxi drivers and reminded drivers not to charge higher than the set amount. It said that no charge must be taken for any luggage or other items loaded into the taxi's boot.
The Transport Ministry has also said it would take action against taxi drivers that violate the regulations.
According to taxi service regulations, offenders will be advised and warned if regulations are violated. The first offense would carry an MVR 500 fine, while a second offense carries an MVR 1,000 fine. If further offenses are committed, the ministry has the authority to seize their licenses.
