RIYADH — A total of 1,278 people were arrested for involving in illegal transportation during the last week between Saturday and Friday. The arrests were made during the raids, carried out by the inspection teams of the Transport General Authority (TGA), in cooperation with other government agencies, across various regions of the Kingdom. These people were caught for operating passenger transport services without a license. The TGA said that the inspection teams apprehended 586 violators who were calling out for passengers for a ride using their private vehicles without a license, and 692 violators were caught while they were transporting passengers in their private vehicles in an unauthorized manner. The inspection campaigns, which are part of the authority's ongoing efforts to enhance competitiveness in the transport sector, resulted in the implementation of legal procedures against violators, including vehicle impoundment and fines, with the aim of curbing illegal practices that harm the quality of transport and passenger safety. The provisions of the new Road Transport Law emphasize the prohibition of operating without a valid license. Penalties for repeated violations include fines of up to SR11,000 and vehicle impoundment for 25 days for those engaging in acts such as soliciting passengers for a ride. Penalties for those operating unlicensed transport can reach a maximum fine of SR20,000 and vehicle impoundment for up to 60 days. The offending vehicle may also be sold at public auction, and non-Saudis may be deported if the violation is repeated.
