Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The passengers are entitled to get a free trip after reaching their destination if the taxi driver did not operate the fare meter that calculates the cost during the trip, the Transport General Authority (TGA) confirmed.

The TGAs clarification came during its answer of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) around the activity of taxi and taxi intermediaries.

It added that the taxi driver are obligated to operate the fare meter and passengers can file a complaint against the taxi driver in the event that he does not operate the meter for calculating the cost of the trip through the unified call center (19929).

The TGA clarified that public taxis must have several technical specifications, such as: e-payment devices; free Internet; camera; tracking devices linked to "Naql" portal; receipt printers; and it is optional to provide an identification screen.

The passenger can file a complaint in the event that e-payment devices are not available in the taxi through the unified call center (19929), and that in accordance with the provisions of the regulations governing the activity of taxi and taxi intermediaries, through which it obligates all the taxi drivers to provide an e-payment devices.

The authority emphasized in its statement that the permissible operational life of taxis must not exceed more than 5 years from the year of its manufacture.

As of July 12, 2022, taxi drivers and passenger transport apps will be required to wear the designated uniform, TGA said, noting that those who do not comply with the uniform will be subject to financial penalties.

The TGA indicated that drivers who will be obligated to wear the designated uniforms are: public taxi drivers; airport taxi drivers; family taxi drivers; passenger transport apps drivers; and private taxi drivers.

It indicated that if passengers notice that the taxi driver or the driver in the passenger transport apps is not obligated to wear the uniform, they could raise their notice through the unified number (19929).

The TGA stated that obligating drivers to wear the uniform aims to standardize and upgrade their general appearance in line with the public decency regulation, as well as to raise the level of the services' quality and to improve the beneficiaries' experience.