Maldives Launches Taxi Line in Capital to Transform Urban Mobility

In a landmark move to revolutionise urban transportation, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu officially inaugurated the Male’ Taxi Line on Thursday evening at a ceremony held at Hulhumale’ Central Park. 

Spearheaded by the President’s vision to address longstanding transportation challenges in the Greater Male’ region, the new service marks a significant step toward a more efficient, accessible, and sustainable public transit system. 

The Male’ Taxi Line will operate 24 hours a day, featuring a modern fleet of 150 eco-friendly electric vehicles (EVs) custom-designed to meet the diverse needs of commuters. The fleet includes compact EVs ideal for navigating Malé’s narrow streets and larger models capable of accommodating families and luggage, catering to both residents and tourists. A dedicated hotline, 1655, has been established to streamline booking and customer service, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Speaking at the launch, Managing Director of the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) and former Deputy Commissioner of Police Ahmed Saudee hailed the initiative as a transformative milestone in the nation’s transportation evolution. 

“The Male’ Taxi Line is not just about adding more taxis—it’s about redefining urban mobility with reliability, sustainability, and inclusivity at its core,” he said, emphasising the integration of green technology and digital infrastructure. 

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen reassured the public that existing private taxi operators will continue their services without interruption, underscoring that the new government-backed service is designed to complement rather than compete. 

He also announced plans to expand the Male’ Taxi Line to Addu City before the end of the year, signaling the government’s commitment to nationwide transport modernisation. 

Following the ceremonial launch, President Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed toured the fleet, inspecting the state-of-the-art vehicles and engaging with drivers and technical staff. 

The initiative is widely seen as a pivotal achievement in the incumbent administration’s pledge to build smarter, greener cities across the Maldives.