The Transport Ministry has given taxi company owners seven months to modernize their fleets or convert existing cars to private vehicles. The move was taken to reduce environmental pollution, improve the standard of taxi services and ensure the safety of passengers. Omar Bamasfer, spokesman for the Transport Ministry's office in the Makkah region, disclosed the mechanism to fix the operation period of taxis run by individuals. It has been decided that taxis should not be used for more than six years from the manufacturing date. With regard to private cars, he explained that the ministry would allow a 2010 model car to run until the end of 2016. Cars that have got road license until after that date will be allowed to run until the end of the license period, he added. "Owners of cars that are not allowed to use as taxis can register them as private vehicles after paying the necessary fees, if any," said the spokesman. Regional road and transport departments would provide necessary letters to the traffic department for changing the type of registration on the basis of the operation period from Jan. 1 of the manufacturing year. Bamasfer said the toll-free number (938) of the Transport Ministry receives more than 30 calls daily in addition to complaints about taxis in rundown conditions. "Calls will be received by the ministry's center in Riyadh and the message will be forwarded to regional departments, depending upon the region of the caller. Investigations will be conducted on complaints and the file will be closed after completing official procedures," he said. Meanwhile, a senior official at the ministry urged Saudis and residents to inform the organization about taxi drivers who violate traffic regulations or do not possess necessary documents that allow them to work as taxi drivers. "Transport departments will intensify inspection of taxi companies and will not show any leniency while executing rules and regulations," he told Al-Madinah daily. There are more than 40,000 taxis owned by 400 companies in Jeddah alone, 35,000 in Riyadh and 25,000 in Dammam. A company can own not more than 50 cars. A fine of SR700 will be imposed if the car's appearance was inappropriate, SR300 for refusing service and SR1,000 if they take passengers to different destinations at the same time.
