First taxi to attach vacancy board begins service in Male

The first taxi to attach the light-up vacancy board, as required by Ministry of Transport following a new regulation, has started taxiing in Male’.

The first passenger on-board the City Cab taxi (332 1313) was Minister of Transport Ameen Ibrahim, who took the taxi from VTV building to Jumhooree Party campaign station Kunooz.

Taxi driver Ahmed Adam told Sun Online that the board was attached tonight by a garage in Male’.

He said that attaching the board did not require drilling holes on the roof of the car, a concern raised by many taxi drivers.

“People will soon stop raising hands to hail taxis. But this will take time. Attaching the board did not require drilling holes. It’s glued with silicone. It’s quite robust,” the taxi driver said.

The board, controlled by the driver, lights up green if the taxi is vacant, and red if the taxi is occupied.

The deadline for taxis to attach these boards has been extended until 15 May.