PHV in Malta – Private Hire Vehicle

Founded in 2009, eCabs is the historic and pioneering Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) operator in Malta (chauffeur-driven transport vehicle). With a strong local presence, eCabs offers an app that allows you to book rides in advance or in real time. On the island, eCabs cars are usually black, making them easily distinguishable from other companies.

The eCabs fleet is diverse, including vehicles adapted for passengers with reduced mobility, cars that accept pets, luxury cars, and minivans that can accommodate groups. Rates are competitive and the app is easy to use, with fixed prices announced in advance, ensuring transparency for users. Premium options are also available for business trips or special events.

eCabs has its own call and reservation center in Malta, which gives it a slight advantage over other companies in case of a problem or incident. The company also offers vehicles with the option to request female drivers (“Women +”), a way to reassure female customers. Personalized services for local businesses are also provided.

eCabs, although losing market share year after year in Malta’s chauffeur-driven vehicle sector, remains the best value-for-money option on the archipelago.

Bolt (formerly Taxify) arrived with great fanfare on the Maltese archipelago in 2017. The Estonian PHV operator is now the most present in Malta in terms of available drivers. Their aggressive driver recruitment strategy enabled rapid expansion.

Bolt drivers are omnipresent on the archipelago, even in the most remote areas. Bolt drivers are independent but must meet strict criteria. It is worth noting, however, that the quality of rides is very inconsistent from one driver to another. Some Bolt drivers also tend to use multiple apps at the same time, which sometimes skews the waiting times displayed by the app. Customer support can also vary depending on the situation.

Bolt’s vehicle fleet includes vehicles of different classes: minivans for groups, electric cars (eGreen), and cars that accept pets. Of all chauffeur-driven vehicle services, Bolt remains the best option to be sure of finding a driver nearby.

Uber established itself in Malta in June 2022. The global leader in Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) services is therefore present in Malta but currently has a limited presence on the archipelago, although it is continuously growing. Uber mainly targets tourists and business travelers.

The service is thus mainly available in the most tourist areas such as Valletta, St. Julian’s, and the airport. Users can book trips through the Uber app, enjoying the familiar interface and usual features. However, vehicle availability can be limited, especially outside urban areas or during peak hours. Upon arrival in Malta, Uber drivers are most often hard to find due to an insufficient number of drivers available. Waiting times can sometimes exceed 20 minutes on the outskirts.

Ryde is a Maltese company that emerged in 2020 as a local alternative to the international ride-hailing giants. Launched to meet the specific needs of the Maltese market, Ryde offers an intuitive app that allows you to book a vehicle quickly, with drivers available 24/7. Ryde also favors partnerships with local drivers to strengthen the Maltese economy.

Ryde’s vehicle fleet is entirely electric, with some models easily identifiable by their London taxi style adapted for wheelchairs. This helps reduce the island’s carbon footprint.

Users can choose between immediate bookings or those scheduled in advance. Rates are set in advance via the app, avoiding unpleasant surprises. Ryde offers a varied fleet, including standard vehicles and more spacious models for groups or families. The company also plans to expand its services to Gozo soon.