Bahrain: A CROSS-BORDER taxi service that would allow passengers to travel between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia has been proposed.
Restrictions currently prevent people using licensed taxis to travel across King Fahad Causeway, forcing some to resort to paying illegal chauffeurs.
Those who don’t want to hire an illegal taxi end up stranded on the 25km transport link, revealed Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) board member and transportation and logistics committee head Abdulhakim Al Shemmari.
The former MP has now submitted a proposal to allow licensed taxi firms to take customers across the border to King Fahad Causeway
Authority.
“Many taxis go all the way to the Bahrain border and drop off passengers, including families, regardless of whether it is early morning or midnight,” he told the GDN.
“Then we have a situation of passengers begging other commuters for a ride, or struggling to find a private (illegal) cab to get to their homes.
“This is a situation we have to think about seriously, as there is a lot of risk.”
He said he had already raised the idea with Bahraini officials at the causeway, arguing the current policy was outdated.
“Taxi drivers, if they want to take customers across the border, must have a second car hired to meet their passengers – who are either coming from the airport or shopping malls,” he said.
“I believe this decision was taken at a time when the causeway system was in the process of being established.
“Now the causeway has established itself as an independent system, it is important to allow legal, licensed taxi drivers on both sides to drive passengers across.
“This is much better than depending on private taxis, which are unofficial and illegal.
“At the BCCI, we respect rules and regulations and don’t wish to see passengers depending on illegal taxis.
“It also has to do with our security, reliability and will also contribute towards solutions for congestion at the causeway.”
Mr Al Shemmari highlighted the fact that Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were pushing for even closer GCC ties through a Gulf Union to highlight the failings of the causeway taxi ban.
“This is important, especially when we are calling for a GCC union,” he said.
“Union means there should be integration between security rules and commercial rules to strengthen ties and create new business opportunities.
“This will also accelerate the growth of traffic at the causeway in a professional manner.”
Passengers without cars are able to travel across the causeway by bus, but Mr Al Shemmari said that option did not appeal to everyone.
“Other than private cars the only
option is the bus service, which is not very frequent and not acceptable to all
– especially families who prefer privacy,” he said.
“We have airlines like Gulf Air and KLM offering limousine services to passengers across the border, which speaks of the culture of our nations.
“This shows that we care for our customers, but a family left on the side of the road at odd hours without transport contradicts this tradition.”
Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry officials could not be reached for comment.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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