JEDDAH, 8 February 2005 — As the deadline nears to completely Saudize the Kingdom’s taxi fleet, some company owners are worried and foreign cabbies are crabby, but Saudi drivers say it’s only fair that they get the fares.

Saudis are waiting for the order to fully Saudize the taxi-driving sector at the beginning of 1426, Al-Madinah newspaper reported.

More than 700 taxi companies owning more than 70,000 cars will be affected by this decision. Taxi company owners worry that the move will drive them out of business because there are not enough Saudi drivers who want to work full-time, but many unemployed Saudis are waiting for this order to take effect because it will mean jobs for them.

The order states that taxi-company licenses will not be renewed until the company achieved 100 percent Saudization. In 1423, an order was issued that taxi companies should achieve 30 percent Saudization within six months of its issue, 50 percent Saudization by the end of 1424, 75 percent six months into 1425 and 100 percent Saudization by year’s end.

Taxi owner Saeed Al-Qahtani expects the decision will force more than 60 percent of the taxi businesses out of the market.

“There are not enough Saudi taxi drivers,” he said. “There is a great demand, and families depend on taxis for transportation. If the decision is enforced, many families will have no means of transportation. There will be a conflict because of growing demand and a short supply of taxi drivers. I think we are going to face a great loss if the decision is enforced.”

Some question whether Saudi taxi drivers will be up to the task. “I achieved 60 percent Saudization in my taxi company,” said Muhammad Al-Ghamdi. “To be honest with you, I’ve had problems with the Saudi drivers. Most of the time they aren’t dependable, and they don’t fulfill their financial obligations.”

Al-Ghamdi said there are some other issues as well.

“For example, I tell the Saudi drivers not to go outside the city. They refuse to listen simply because they see it is more profitable to drive between cities than inside the city itself. They don’t take care of the car, and they always bring the cars back with some damage on it, unlike foreign drivers, who take care of the cars and follow the rules.”

But Al-Ghamdi says he’s figured out a way to inspire responsibility among the new drivers.

“To overcome the problem, I’m issuing a 10-day permit to drive the taxi. The permit will be renewed after 10 days if I get paid; otherwise it will not be renewed. The only thing we ask for when we rent the taxi is SR100 a day.”

Many of the expat drivers will be seeking new climes.

“I have been working as a driver for 12 years,” said Sheraz Muhammad of Pakistan. “If the decision is enforced, I will be forced to leave the country.”

He wonders if Saudi drivers will really want the jobs.

“To be honest, I believe that Saudis will not succeed as taxi drivers because it involves many problems,” Muhammad said. “We drive for 12 hours, and Saudis will not handle 12 hours driving every day. I don’t think Saudis will put up with the daily problems we face, from customers’ insults to harassment — and sometimes attacks.”

But Saudi drivers have a far more upbeat view of the change.

“I could not find a decent job after I graduated,” said Saad Al-Shehri. “I thought of working as a taxi driver. I was met with long procedures and a lot of obstacles, instead of making the procedures easy and short. At the end when I finally got the license and the car to drive, I was struck with the fact that most families are avoiding Saudi drivers. It is difficult at this time, but there always has to be a first for everything, and I am sure things will become easier in the future.”

Other Saudi drivers say it’s about time.

“Enforcing the law will be to the benefit of many unemployed Saudis,” said Bandar Al-Hassan. “It will help eliminate many barriers they face. In the past, I used to rent a car and use it as a taxi between Jeddah and Makkah. If the decision is enforced, I will be the first one to apply as a taxi driver. There are many upcoming summer events where there will be lots of festival activities. I believe that we will make lots of profit.”