Having to maintain current taxi rates amid rising petrol prices is unfair, say drivers

The Drivers Association of Maldives (DAM) has expressed concern over having to maintain the current taxi rates despite the rising petrol prices, stating that they do not believe it fair to have to take on the increased financial burden by themselves.

In a statement on Tuesday morning, the DAM said that the fixed taxi rates have become a huge burden on taxi drivers amid the significant rise in fuel cost and cost of living in general.

DAM said that taxi drivers have never received sufficient government support, and do not believe it fair that drivers alone should have to take on the financial burden.

“It is regrettable that though fuel rates in the Maldives are being revised in light of the changes to the global fuel market, the government and other relevant authorities have not identified the living cost of taxi drivers and are not taking speedy measures to help drivers,” said DAM in its statement.

ތެލުގެ އަގަށް ގެނައި ބަދަލާ ގުޅިގެން ޓެކްސީ ޑްރައިވަރުންގެ ކަންބޮޑުވުން ފާޅުކުރުން@presidencymv @MoTCAmv @MACLmedia @PoliceMv
@mvpeoplesmajli pic.twitter.com/kXtq6OYJzl

— Drivers Association of Maldives (@DriversAssocMV) March 16, 2026

DAM believes it crucial that the government revise the current taxi rates in order to resolve the financial challenges facing taxi drivers.

“We believe it could otherwise pose huge challenges and endanger the many families based in Male’ that depend on the income generated from this,” reads the statement.

The DAM said that the government must acknowledge how hard it is for drivers to follow the current rates, and has made a formal request with the Transport Ministry to discuss the situation.

The association also warned that if the government fails to properly address these concerns, it will only “increase the dissatisfaction among taxi drivers, “the potential consequences of which, this association believes, must be borne by relevant authorities.”

The DAM asked the Transport Ministry to act responsibly and engage in discussions with the association, and provide a “permanent and fair” solution before the situation escalates.