In a press conference held by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation today, Minister Aishath Nahula has announced the introduction of metered taxis in Maldives. The Minister noted that the decision was made after various people had requested the solution to the recent up-charge of taxi fares. Nahula noted that the current administration will not hesitate in implementing the changes that the people want.

The Minister said that although metered taxis have been introduced, fares will not exceed the current, fixed MVR25 price. She said that the rates on the taxis will be implemented following discussion with the ministry, civilians as well as taxi drivers. Nahula noted that the change is not a win-lose situation for anyone on opposite sides of the taxi-fare debate and said that this solution will benefit all parties involved.

Minister Nahula said that while the issue was opened to public feedback, the Ministry had received over 10, 000 submissions of feedback. She noted that the amount is unprecedented and that it indicated just how much the people had wanted this change.

A forum had been held this week by the Ministry, discussing among taxi drivers and civilians on the taxi-fares that had continued to soar following the opening of the Sinamale' Bridge. Taxi drivers at the forum had said that the cost of maintaining a living in their occupation is too high to match the fixed fares. However, civilians during the public feedback forum had argued that the current fares to cross the bridge is too high.