Taxis in poor condition as well as those having traffic violations registered against them will be impounded until they are repaired and all violations have been cleared. A directive in this regard has been issued by Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal to police. The Emir also instructed that a field campaign in this connection should start next Tuesday and a weekly report on the progress should be forwarded to him. These directives have been issued for the safety of commuters. In May this year, the Transport Ministry gave 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. It has been decided that taxis should not be used for more than six years from the manufacturing date. With regard to private cars, 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. The toll-free number (938) of the Transport Ministry receives more than 30 calls daily in addition to complaints about taxis in rundown conditions. 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.
