Khalid Al-Wabil
In 2014, the ministries of transportation, labor and interior and the Human Resources Development Fund launched a program to Saudize the taxicab sector. In 2015, the Ministry of Transportation announced that it would issue regulations in 2016 banning taxis from traveling on streets searching for customers. In 2014, the same ministry imposed a SR5,000 fine on taxis roaming the streets searching for customers and a SR500 fine on any taxi driver who did not turn on the meter.
In 2016, the Ministry of Transportation said it would confiscate the license of taxicab companies if taxis did not turn on the meter. In 2012, the ministry imposed a SR700 fine on taxi drivers who smoked while working.
In 2014, the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced that it would merge all taxicab companies into one group with a capital of SR1 billion. I am sure that taxis in our country can make it into the Guinness Book of World Records because of the decisions and regulations issued by the concerned authorities, none of which have ever been implemented. But what is the reason behind all of these decisions and regulations?
We have 773 taxicab companies owning a total of 47,000 cars that go on millions of trips every day and roam the streets of our cities. Let us imagine the percentages of road accidents, air pollution, energy consumption and traffic jams these taxis are responsible for. By the way, the majority of these cars do not meet safety standards. Moreover, they are not clean inside and the drivers lack etiquette when talking with customers. We do not have unified rates and this gives the drivers a chance to manipulate what they charge.
Why do taxis not have meters, special parking lots and tracking systems? Only in the Kingdom does one see taxis roaming the streets aimlessly searching for customers. We should implement the decision of merging taxicab companies into one and follow the footsteps of Al-Bilad Bank, which was formed after a number of money exchangers merged. Taxicab owners can be founding members of the merged company.
A consultation company should be hired to evaluate and value the assets of any company that wishes to be part of the merger. Also, privileges should be given to these companies, such as providing exclusive services to airports and government agencies. Salaries should be improved and drivers should be given housing allowances and medical insurance. They should be allowed to own a certain number of shares in the company and after 10 years be allowed to be partners.
People all over the world call taxis by phone while in our country taxis roam the streets searching for customers.
