Concerns mount as hotline for government’s newly launched "Male' Taxi Line" goes unanswered
The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has launched its new "Male Taxi Line" service with a fleet of 150 electric vehicles; however, the project has come under scrutiny as a case has been submitted to Parliament alleging corruption in the development of the service's mobile application.
MTCC Taxi Line to launch operations on April 3, 2026. | MTCC | MTCC
Concerns are growing among the public as many report that the hotline for the government’s newly introduced "Male' Taxi Line" remains unresponsive.
The government officially launched its newly introduced "Male' Taxi Line" service on April 2, 2026, with a fleet of 150 electric vehicles. MTCC has arranged for passengers to travel free of charge during the first week of operations.
The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has announced that its taxi service will be available to the public 24 hours a day. According to the company, customers can access the service through a dedicated mobile application. This app will allow users to easily track their location and identify the nearest available taxi.
Additionally, MTCC has established a dedicated hotline to assist customers with travel-related issues and technical difficulties encountered while using the application. The company stated that customers can dial 1655 to obtain information and seek assistance regarding their taxi services.
However, the Drivers Association noted that the volume of trips for regular taxis did not decrease even during the free travel period. Meanwhile, many people have taken to social media to express concerns regarding the lack of response from MTCC’s hotline, 1655.
Furthermore, as the public continues to voice concerns regarding potential corruption in the development of the Male' Taxi Line application, a formal complaint has been submitted to the People's Majlis requesting an investigation into the matter.
Regarding the inquiry into the matter, questions have been raised seeking the identities of the companies invited to participate in the bidding process and the specific criteria used for their selection. Furthermore, clarification has been requested regarding the eligibility requirements set for the bidders and the extent of the MTCC IT Department's involvement in this project. The inquiry also seeks details on the professional experience of the party awarded the contract, requesting that any documentation submitted as evidence of such experience be shared with the Parliament.
MTCC has come under heavy fire following revelations that it spent 13 million Rufiyaa to develop a mobile application. Many have characterized the expenditure as a major act of corruption, calling for full transparency regarding the procurement process used for the project. Critics have also pointed out that similar applications used globally do not require such high development costs. Consequently, there are widespread demands for a formal investigation into the matter.
