Motorcycle taxi services to begin in Jan, 4 service providers apply

Ministry of Economic Development has announced motorcycle taxi services will begin in Male’ City during the first week of coming January, disclosing that four parties have expressed interest in providing the service.

Previous parties granted permission to provide the service had complained that the regulation needed reform in order for them to be able to provide the service. And Ministry of Economic Development subsequently re-opened the application process.

Transport consultant for Ministry of Economic Development, Mohamed Imthiyaz reported to

“Sun” that four parties have expressed interest, and have been asked to submit a formal application by December 20.

Imthiyaz said that those who expressed interest included car taxi service providers and parties which have worked with Ministry of Economic Development in previous projects.

He said that the ministry would be able to complete all formalities and launch the service in the first week of coming January.

Motorcycle taxis need to be properly registered A1 or A0 vehicles, and needs to have comfortable seats for the driver and passenger.

There also needs to be a formal agreement between owners of motorcycles used for taxing and the service providers.

Regulation dictates that vehicles used as taxis will be registered for a five-year period, and the registration needs to be renewed three months prior to the expiry date.