Maldives Police Services has been assigned to enforce taxi regulations at Velaana International Airport amid rising complaints from passengers who use taxi services to and from the airport.
It has been reported that Police were assigned the task following discussions between the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL), and the Maldives Police Services.
Aviators Maldives reported that Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen has said that Police officers will now be stationed at the taxi stand at VIA and that action will be taken against taxi drivers who violate the established rules.
The Ministry confirmed that Police have now begun manning enforcing taxi regulations at the airport and that they will be taking action against those taxi drivers who violate the regulations set by the Ministry for taxis that carry passengers to and from the airport.
The Ministry had said that it had formed a committee to address the complaints made against taxi drivers from both local and foreign customers who use the services at the airport.
The complaints include drivers rejecting passengers based on their destinations, additional baggage charges, picking up multiple passengers from one destination, and charging more for rides than the rates set by the Ministry.
The Ministry said today that it is working with the Home Ministry, Maldives Airports Company Ltd, and Police to take affirmative action and solve the taxi issue at the airport.
