The government’s electric taxi service, Male’ Taxi Line, was officially launched in Villimalé on Thursday, marking a significant expansion of the transport network beyond the capital.
The service was inaugurated by Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed during a ceremony held near the Villimalé Ferry Terminal. The event was attended by MTCC Managing Director Ahmed Saudee and Villimalé MP Mohamed Ismail.
MTCC said the introduction of the electric vehicle service aims to provide residents with a safe, reliable and environmentally friendly transportation option.
Male’ Taxi Line was first launched in Malé on April 2, with rides offered free of charge during the first two weeks of operation. Since then, demand for taxi services has grown significantly, prompting further expansion of the network.
The dedicated mobile application for the service was launched earlier this month, while the taxi network recorded more than 13,000 trips during its first month of operation.
To support the initiative, a fleet of 150 fully electric vehicles has been imported to the Maldives, including compact cars designed for the narrow streets of Malé and larger vehicles intended for airport transfer services.
The launch in Villimalé comes despite the island’s long-standing restrictions on motor vehicles. Known for its quieter environment and pedestrian-friendly layout, Villimalé has traditionally limited vehicle use. However, residents have in recent years raised concerns over the increasing presence of battery-powered vehicles on the island.
The government has described the expansion as part of broader efforts to improve public transport services while promoting the use of environmentally friendly vehicles.
