The government has reversed its decision to introduce a taxi service after drivers protested on Sunday.
The decision to introduce a government taxi service was announced on July 25 during a ceremony to inaugurate the Male' Fahi program.
The taxi drivers protest held in Hulhumale' on Sunday ended after the government agreed to their demands.
"The protest ended with the decision not to introduce the taxi line for now, and to start a study on introducing a taxi line," said Misbah Shareef, a taxi driver in Male'.
Misbah said a meeting was held with the Transport Ministry and they agreed to conduct a study on the provision of taxi services.
He added that the government agreed to provide new cars under a separate rule to taxi drivers providing the service with old cars.
"The cars [to be used to start the government taxi line] were obtained free. Then they decided to give those cars to taxi drivers with old cars. The ministry said the study would start on September 1," he said.
Misbah stated that the ministry also assured that taxis parked in Male' at night will not be towed.
The government's decision to introduce a taxi service was welcomed by the public. There has always been public dissatisfaction with the taxi service in Male'.
