Saudi taxis to stop roaming streets

Taxi cabs will stop roaming around on the streets of Saudi cities as they will be restricted to on-call service under a new law to be enforced in the Gulf Kingdom within 45 days, a newspaper reported on Sunday.

'Okaz' said the law asked all taxi companies in the largest Arab economy to install communication and tracking systems to ensure swift services and warned violating taxis would be fined SR500-2,000 (Dh500-2,000).

“No taxi will be allowed to wander around in the street in cities when the new law is enforced after 45 days,” 'Okaz' Arabic language daily said.

It said the law also ordered taxi firms to allocate at least one cab for the handicapped by fitting them with wheel chairs and other facilities.

The law also stipulates that taxi drivers must wear a uniform and ensure that they and their cars are clean “all the time".