JEDDAH: Kaddadin, or unlicensed transporters, say there is good money to be made during Ramadan especially in transporting Umrah pilgrims from Jeddah to Makkah and back.

During this month the number of visitors doubles or triples which means the price of transportation increases and young men who work in kaddada make a lot of money that could reach SR11,000, which is double what they make during other months of the year.

A number of kaddadin, who illegally transport passengers in their private vehicles, said Ramadan is one of the biggest seasons because of the increased number of Umrah pilgrims and the inflated fares they pay. The price of a ticket for a passenger from Makkah reaches between SR20 and SR25 in small cars, while in bigger vehicles it reaches between SR15 and SR20.

Traveling in modern vehicles ranges between SR100 and SR150, and people expect prices to further increase during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Bader Al-Harbi said this profession is much better than working in the private sector, because the money made in this month is much more than the salary of some university graduates. He said he normally makes SR6,000 a month but during Ramadan and other seasons his income reaches SR11,000.

Yousif Mrair said fines have depleted the ranks of kaddadin and some of them are no longer able to practice this profession. He said he is thinking of leaving the kaddada because of the hefty traffic tickets.

He pointed out that he makes between SR300 and SR350 a day during Ramadan, and makes between three to four trips between Jeddah and Makkah. He expected prices to witness more hikes during the last 10 days of Ramadan.