Transport Authority: 1278 violators caught transporting passengers without a license

The Public Transport Authority announced the results of its intensive field inspection campaigns conducted last week, which resulted in the apprehension of 1,278 individuals operating passenger transport services without a license across various regions of the Kingdom. These efforts are part of the Authority's ongoing commitment to regulating the transport sector and enhancing compliance with applicable regulations and laws.

Details of inspection campaigns in airports and cities

The Authority's inspection teams focused their efforts on major airports and city entrances, where unlicensed transportation, known locally as "Kaddada," is prevalent. These campaigns aim to curb these haphazard practices that negatively impact the quality of services provided to users, whether citizens, residents, or tourists. The Authority emphasized that engaging in passenger transport requires obtaining the necessary licenses to ensure passenger safety and vehicle roadworthiness.

Legal penalties: A fine of 5000 riyals

In a reminder of the regulations, the Public Transport Authority confirmed that the penalty for operating a passenger transport service without a license is 5,000 riyals, in addition to vehicle impoundment and the violator bearing the impoundment costs. These penalties are part of deterrent measures aimed at protecting the market from unfair competition with licensed operators, whether they are licensed taxi drivers or authorized ride-hailing apps.

The importance of regulation and its impact on the sector

The importance of these enforcement measures extends beyond mere punishment, encompassing significant regulatory and economic dimensions. From a security standpoint, dealing with licensed carriers ensures the tracking of journeys and the availability of driver and vehicle data, thus enhancing passenger safety. Economically, eliminating unregulated transportation supports companies and investors in the transportation sector who adhere to standards and regulations, thereby increasing the sector's competitiveness and improving the Kingdom's image, particularly in light of the country's tourism expansion.

In closing, the authority urged beneficiaries to rely on official transportation methods and licensed transportation applications to ensure a safe and reliable transportation experience, stressing that its monitoring tours will continue to apprehend violators and enforce regulations against them.