Ministry Consults 7,803 Registered Taxi Amid Speculation Over Potential Uber Entry

The Ministry of Land Transport has intensified consultations with key stakeholders regarding the potential entry of Uber into Mauritius, as officials seek to address mounting anxiety among local taxi operators.

Following what the Ministry termed “media speculation” regarding the ride-hailing giant’s arrival, the Land Transport Minister convened a high-level meeting this week to evaluate the impact of digital taxi platforms on the local transport landscape.

Attendees included representatives from the National Land Transport Authority (NLTA), the Taxi Operators Welfare Fund, the Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of ICT, and the Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Mauritius (AHRIM).

These discussions build upon dialogue held last week with various taxi associations aimed at addressing concerns surrounding sector evolution and the regulation of digital platforms.

A long-standing regulatory gap

Consultations have highlighted that online taxi booking platforms have been operating in Mauritius for approximately twenty years, albeit within an entirely unregulated framework.

Government is attempting to formalise the sector have seen limited success to date.

In 2016, authorities proposed the reintroduction of taximeters and the installation of taxi counters in hotels.

Furthermore, the 2022-2023 budget speech included a commitment to implement regulations for online booking platforms by December 2022; however, these measures have yet to be enacted.

Current landscape

The domestic industry currently relies on a network of 7,803 taxis registered with the NLTA, each operating under specific base-of-operation systems to serve towns, villages, hotels, the port, and the airport.

The Ministry of Land Transport has confirmed it is now reviewing all feedback gathered from stakeholders, alongside public commentary shared via social media.

These findings will be distilled into formal recommendations and submitted to the government, with officials pledging to reach a decision that serves the national interest.

Source: Defi Media