Maldives Transport Authority has declared that measures will be taken against taxi drivers who take a fare above MVR 40 when crossing the Sinamale' Bridge and that if larger fares are charged repeatedly, their taxi licenses will be revoked.

Coordinator at the Transport Authority, Mahmood Shafeeq said that the fare for taxis crossing the bridge was decided after discussions were held with taxi centers. However, Shafeeq revealed that the authority has been receiving many complaints that some taxi drivers have been taking a fare above the allocated one on bridge trips.

Shafeeq added that the authority believed the allocated fee is sufficient and that measures will be taken against those who take bigger fares from passengers crossing the bridge.

Upon the opening of the Sinamale’ bridge for public use, taxi drivers had commenced trips by taking fees amounting to MVR 100 – 250, and some still continue to take this amount.

According to the Transport Authority the maximum fee allocated for trips between capital city Male’ and Hulhule’ where the main Velana International Airport is located, as well as trips between Hulhule’ and the capital city’s suburban extension Hulhumale’ is MVR 35.

Moreover, a maximum of MVR 40 is allocated for taxi trips between Hulhumale’ and Male’.

The announcement by the authority further states that an additional MVR 5 may be taken from passengers travelling between 12:00 a.m. and 06:00 a.m. as per usual procedure. An additional MVR five may also be taken for luggage. It forbids amounts bigger than the allocated fees from being taken.

Although the Transport Authority has fixed an amount for bridge trips, taxi drivers continue to refuse taking trips for the amount with the taxi centers, even stating that there are no taxi driver who take trips for the allocated amount.