The Maldives Police Service (MPS) on Monday, 07th March, has warned on taking swift action against taxi centers found in violation of regulations by the Ministry of Transport.
According to the authority, taxi centers discovered with hiked fare prices will be dealt with necessary action; including fining the entities.
Earlier, it was reported that all the taxi centers operating in the Greater Male’ Region unanimously agreed to increase fare prices, effective from Thursday, 10th March 2022. All 14 centers that convened for the deliberation agreed on the price bump owing to the surge in oil prices in the Maldivian market.
Oil prices in the Maldivian market lifted in price reflective of the growing demand for crude oil in the global market coupled with the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Recent updates reveal that crude oil prices in the international market surged to USD112 per barrel.
Taxi centers operating in the Greater Male’ Region decided to hike fare prices due to the hike in petrol and diesel prices, which was brought into effect by State Trading Organization (STO) on Saturday, 05th March 2022.
This decision was not, however, welcomed by the Ministry of Transport which challenged the centers claiming they did not have the legal authority to bump fare prices. The ministry further claimed that it will take action against drivers and centers who breach the regulations.
Meanwhile, Maldives Police Service stated that taxis charging above approved fare rates are breaching ministry regulations, and action will be taken against them. The authority further added that customers can lodge complaints with them if they discover hiked prices in taxis.
On the other hand, the drivers’ covenant addressed concerns of “over-controlled” fares, which often play against fluctuating oil prices in the Maldivian market. Many drivers claim that the fixed fare rates affect their earnings; with most of it spent on maintenance and fuel.