Speaking to Arab News, Banoun said the project would benefit about two million female workers in the Kingdom, including Saudis and foreigners, adding that it would reduce the money that families spend on drivers. “The Shoura Council will soon discuss the project before passing it to higher authorities for approval and to draft its executive bylaws,” Banoun said.
He said the proposal has not been submitted as an alternative to women driving in the Kingdom. Saudi women have been demanding the right to drive for several years. The Council of Senior Islamic Scholars issued a ruling in 1990 banning women from driving in the Kingdom. “Our proposal provides the most suitable solution to the social environment of Saudi Arabia and its culture and traditions,” said the center’s chairman.
He said women using private taxis face a lot of difficulties, in addition to harassment. “The operation of women-only public transport vehicles will cut the amount spent on drivers,” he pointed out. He said the proposal gives preference to the economic aspect of employing drivers. “We believe that once the project is approved by Saudi authorities it would save working women 35 percent of what they spend.” Women using the public transport system to travel to their work places and return home would spend only SR4 whereas they currently spend SR20 on taxis, he said. “We are sure the project would encourage more Saudi women to work as it provides them with a safe and secure transport service,” Banoun said. The project aims to serve 15 percent of working women in the first phase. “Once successful, more buses would be operated to serve all working women.” Banoun said the project would help Saudi families get rid of foreign drivers and save them a lot of money. “At present they need separate cars and drivers to transport working women,” he said.
The project has won the support of Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Al-Obaikan, an Islamic scholar and member of the Shoura Council. “A similar system is currently underway to transport female students and teachers. There is nothing wrong in this system,” he said.
Lama Suleiman, deputy chairman of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also backed the project, saying it would benefit Saudi women. “What will a divorcee do if she wants to take her child to hospital and if she does not have a car and driver,” she asked.
