JEDDAH: Pilgrims and citizens in Makkah are complaining that they are being forced to pay exorbitant amounts to taxi drivers for short distances to and from areas surrounding the Grand Mosque.
According to a report in a local publication on Tuesday, some said they were charging SR50 per passenger from the Grand Mosque to Al-Awali, SR40 to Bathaa Quraish, SR35 to north or south Aziziyah, and between SR60 and SR80 to Al-Sharaea.
Mosfer A-Qahtani, a citizen, said: “I had to wait for nearly two hours on the side of Al-Nouria Road, which is 15 km north of the Grand Mosque, and was surprised when a taxi driver demanded SR65. I rejected this and went home. I used my own car and only paid SR2 for the trip.”
Abdulaziz Al-Shihri said he had to pay SR280 from King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah to Makkah. “I traveled from Abha by plane and only paid SR251 for the ticket, so such high prices only means [exploitation],” he said.
However, one taxi driver said that many drivers raise fares this time of the year because of a sharp rise in the number of visitors to Makkah. It is a period for making as much money as possible, he was quoted as saying.
Col. Fawzi Al-Ansari, spokesman of the Makkah Traffic Department, said the Ministry of Transport was responsible for reviewing and placing limits on fares. Those violating the regulations are penalized, he said.
According to a report in a local publication on Tuesday, some said they were charging SR50 per passenger from the Grand Mosque to Al-Awali, SR40 to Bathaa Quraish, SR35 to north or south Aziziyah, and between SR60 and SR80 to Al-Sharaea.
Mosfer A-Qahtani, a citizen, said: “I had to wait for nearly two hours on the side of Al-Nouria Road, which is 15 km north of the Grand Mosque, and was surprised when a taxi driver demanded SR65. I rejected this and went home. I used my own car and only paid SR2 for the trip.”
Abdulaziz Al-Shihri said he had to pay SR280 from King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah to Makkah. “I traveled from Abha by plane and only paid SR251 for the ticket, so such high prices only means [exploitation],” he said.
However, one taxi driver said that many drivers raise fares this time of the year because of a sharp rise in the number of visitors to Makkah. It is a period for making as much money as possible, he was quoted as saying.
Col. Fawzi Al-Ansari, spokesman of the Makkah Traffic Department, said the Ministry of Transport was responsible for reviewing and placing limits on fares. Those violating the regulations are penalized, he said.
