Nala Taxi: Claim driver ‘demanded’ MVR 1,500 after child vomited in car is misleading

Nala Taxi has denied social media claims that one of its drivers demanded MVR 1,500 after a child vomited inside the vehicle, describing the reports as a misrepresentation of the situation.

The issue arose following a social media post that went viral on Sunday, alleging that the driver demanded the exorbitant amount to clean the car seat. The individual who made the claim, Hawwa Ahmed, told Sun that she was travelling from Hulhumalé to Jetty No. 7 when her child vomited. She alleged that the driver spoke rudely and demanded MVR 1,500 for cleaning the vehicle. Hawwa further stated that her husband later intervened by phone, and following further communication, the driver agreed to MVR 1,000, which her husband paid to settle the matter.

In response, Nala Taxi issued a statement asserting that the information circulating on social media was inaccurate. According to the company, after the customer informed the driver that her child had vomited and requested a bag, the driver directed her to where bags were available. The driver also explained that professional cleaning services generally charge around MVR 1,500 to remove vomit from car seats.

The taxi centre stated that the customer subsequently contacted another individual by phone, who instructed the driver to take the vehicle to a specific cleaning service of their choice. The driver safely dropped the customer at her destination on time before proceeding to the requested cleaning location.

When the initial cleaning service was unavailable, the driver approached a nearby facility, which quoted MVR 1,600 for the service. Following negotiations, the cost was reduced to MVR 1,000. Nala Taxi emphasized that the MVR 1,000 payment was made based on a mutual agreement between the driver and the individual who had communicated with him by phone.

The statement further noted that while the cleaning costs were covered, the driver did not receive payment for the actual fare of the trip. Nala Taxi expressed concern over the circulation of misleading information that could damage the reputation of both the driver and the taxi centre, despite the matter having already been resolved through a mutual agreement.