Increased fare due to high cost of maintaining taxi service - LOTA

05 December 2007
Report: Jaxu

Land and Oceanic Transport Association (LOTA) have revealed that the associations request to increase the taxi fare was due to the high cost involved in maintaining the service.

The news conference held by the association to brief the media at Dharubaaruge were participated by the President of the Association Mohamed Ziyad, Director of Planning Javad Umar, Vice President of the Association Yousuf Zuhury, Diector of Information Ismail Ibrahim, Director of Administration Ahmed Shareef and two other member drivers.

Speaking at the conference Vice President of the Association Zuhury said that the association was receiving a lot of complaints from the general public due to the increase in taxi fare. He said the fares were increased as a last resort in order to continue the service. He further said the association had worked hard to find an amicable solution to the problem but the increasing global fuel prices plus the high costs other items has increased the expense incurred by the drivers.

Ahmed Athif, a private taxi owner speaking at the conference complained that some people who use his taxi are complaining and often address him in abusive language.

At the conference the Association revealed daily maintenance coast of a taxi as Mrf.233.35. This includes annual fee payable to Transport Ministry, fees payable to the Taxi Centers and petrol and parking costs. In addition drivers have to bear the costs of breakdowns plus the cost of keeping the taxis clean and presentable are not included in the daily rate revealed the Association.

The Association noted the lack of government initiative to maintain the taxi fares at a certain level.

“Launches and dhonis buy fuel at wholesale prices, why not consider taxing a public service and make the same rate available to us, these are things that government can do bring the taxi fares down, loans are being granted to farmers and fisherman, annual award for outstanding public service is also given, taxi drivers does not fall in to any of this category” said a taxi driver expressing his sentiments.

Zuhury said a study is ongoing on the fares of the sea going vessels and that a meeting is scheduled for tomorrow with the Transport Ministry.

At the news conference, the Association informed the media and the public that the drivers do require to buy commodities from the market, just as same as any other person and is subject to the same rates prevailing in the country. Association made it clear that drivers too have to support their families, pay their rents, take of the medical bills and buy food for their families too.

“How can the public value our service when the government does not” said a taxi driver speaking at the news conference.

When asked whether the Association is working on issue of unavailability of taxis, Zuhury replied that 668 taxis operating in Male’ is not enough for a population of 130,000. He said even if bus service is introduced this problem would be solved as mostly the roads are congested. He further said he does not believe the bus service would be a success.

Taxi fares were maintained at Mrf.10 per trip up to 1991 and from then onwards it has been Mrf15. Taxi fares were increased on the 1 December to Mrf 20 per trip.