This refers to the report “Taxis cruising streets looking for customers to be banned.” (Sept. 8)
Taxis cruising cities and every street and lane are irritating. The Ministry of Transport therefore justly plans to check its unnecessary movements that is causing inconvenience to the public. It is important to have a plan in place, organizing the taxi service. Use of the latest technology like Wasel electronic platforms will greatly help improve the service. I learned that the platform will allow the ministry and the security authorities to identity the drivers, the data of the vehicle and its destination.
It is equally worthwhile to study the ambitious Uber company, which is still exploring the transformative potential of electric, self-driving cars, which is summoned on demand within moments. It is vital if the government needs to lay down a new vision for new services in line with Vision 2030.
The measures in this regard also need to check the unlicensed Saudi drivers, who ferry passengers particularly from airports, which is unsafe and at times dangerous. Many incidents have come to fore when drivers dupe unsuspecting passengers and decamp with their belongings.
In the beginning the common man may take some time to use TaxiApps on mobile; fuel consumption will decrease; conventional taxi drivers may have to quit the job for good; and there could be a possible rise in taxi fares. But, things change with the times. Old setups allow space for new vision and new plans. — Aftab Alam, Jeddah
Driving through time
