Taxi drivers happy at implementation of meter system

Taxi drivers in the Kingdom are excited to hear that a new mandatory meter system will be installed in their vehicles within three months.
Many drivers complained that the commuters do not let them turn on the meter and bargain for the cost of the fare, which lessens the proceeds for them and sometimes even causes them to run at a loss.
Hussain, a Pakistani taxi driver, spoke to Arab News and said that after the implementation of the new rule, the commuters will be required to pay SR20 for trips compared to the usual fare of SR15 or SR10 that they have been paying in previously. “Willingly or unwillingly, we will be forced to abide by the rule as the meters will be tracked by the Interior and Transport Ministries. The commuters won’t be able to bargain anymore,” he said, adding that “The new decision will help us to earn more. Even after paying the employer by the end of the day, we will have a good amount left for us.”
Another Yemeni taxi driver, Omer, said “Recently I picked a man from Makkah highway and he requested me to turn on the meter. By the time we reached his destination, the meter showed around SR90. But after the long argument he got down of the car just paying SR50. If this rule is implemented, the commuters will not cheat us by paying less.”
Although most drivers comlpain that they will be required to pay higher amounts daily to their employers after the meter fare system is initiated, it is clear that if the earnings can be taken on top of that it will not adversely affect their income of each day.
Some drivers note that this decision taken by the Ministry of Transport should also ensure that all the drivers are paid basic salary and receive commissions for their earnings from their employers. “We are obligated to pay a fixed amount daily to the employer and to bear any loss that occurs. And in addition to this, the implementation of the new system might decrease the number of customers. It would be great if a certain amount is fixed for the taxi drivers that will allow us to earn a good income,” said Hamid, a Bangladeshi driver.
Mohammed Nasr, a resident of Jeddah, said “This decision will reduce the arguments between taxi drivers and the commuters. Besides, this is a common practice in many other countries. On the other hand, this will benefit members of the public, prevent fleecing and curb illegalities.”