Saudis hail taxi ban move

In response to the order by Crown Prince Abdullah, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, banning foreigners from driving taxis in the Kingdom in six months, Saudis yesterday expressed confidence that they can take over and do a better job.

Officials at the Transportation Ministry here told Gulf News that the new order will create at least 20,000 jobs for Saudis.

A sense of satisfaction was expressed by the people who have been waiting for this for long time. Gulf News spoke to a number of Saudi nationals of different age groups who expressed their views over the new initiative.

Marzouq Al Harthy, a 50-year-old man who has been working as a taxi driver for the last 20 years in Makkah and Jeddah, said: "Since the introduction of the white limousine which is operated by foreigners, our income has declined and we as Saudis could not find the opportunity to compete with them because most customers preferred the white limousines over the yellow ones owned by Saudis," he said. He added that most of the Saudi taxi drivers have been waiting for this initiative after filing so many complaints to the Ministry of Interior. "This decision will increase our income and get us back to work," he said.

With confidence to do a good job as a taxi driver, a 30-year-old Raheem Al Sulami said: "You bet we can manage it and it is a new challenge for us and we have to prove ourselves."

He noted that this new decision would bring a new hope for many young Saudis who are sitting at home doing nothing. Officials pointed out that there are around more than 650 public transport firms in the kingdom and at present three per cent of the total 50,000 limousines are driven by saudis.

In response to the charge made by foreign drivers that Saudis are not qualified enough to meet the job requirement, 33-year-old Mohammed Al Jahdly said due to financial difficulties faced by some young Saudis, they are determined to do any type of work and there is nothing to be ashamed of.

"We can work under any circumstances at present because we do need a decent income. This opportunity has come to us and we will take advantage of it and prove that Saudi drivers are confident of doing as well as non-Saudi drivers," he said.

About the general view that customers, whether citizens or expatriates, do not prefer to ride with Saudis, Muhsen Al Attass said, "I guess some young Saudis have to change their attitude towards customers and I believe we can prove that we are able and reliable to do the job."

He said Saudi drivers could wear pants and shirts since some customers do not prefer to ride with those who wear the 'Thobe'.