A shortage of cabs here has given mini-truck owners an opportunity to provide private transportation facilities to tourists. They are found everywhere on the roads here. Tourists say the phenomenon puts a spotlight on faulty tourism plans, which should have focused more on better public transportation. Failing visitors' expectations “I came to Taif to enjoy the summer vacation but I was flabbergasted when I saw mini-trucks used as public transportation,” said Muhammad Al-Asmari, a visitor. “I did not expect something like that. Besides, these mini-trucks impose different rates and some of them raise the rates to take advantage of visitors, which goes against the goals for domestic tourism.” Tourism bureaus Ali Sulaiman, a tourist from a Gulf country, considers transportation a basic necessity that those in charge domestic tourism must provide, particularly because there is a lack of guidance and tourism bureaus in Taif, a city that witnesses an increase in visitors and tourists every year. “A tourist city like Taif should have an excellent fleet of cabs and modern transportation like trains and public buses to serve visitors,” commented Salman Al-Mutlaq, another visitor. “Those who come to Taif will be amazed by the Telefrek, but they will be surprised when they discover that the city does not have proper public transportation and that mini-truck owners control the rates for rides within the city. I hope concerned authorities monitor rates and do not have mini-truck owners negatively affect the image of tourism in Taif.” 7,000 mini-trucks Sources said there were more than 7,000 mini-trucks, but only about 1,500 cabs in the city. Taif does not have any means of public transportation such as a bus service. The only public transportation company in Taif withdrew its bus service recently because it reportedly had more lucrative business opportunity in Makkah. __
