Fines of £850 imposed on Saudi taxi drivers if they cancel an app booking

In an effort to improve the operations of smart taxis, taxi brokers, and guided vehicles, the Ministry of Interior's National Information Centre has implemented new amended regulations governing these activities. Among the provisions is a fine of SR4000 (£850) for taxi drivers who cancel trips after accepting a customer request.

Sources from Okaz/Saudi Gazette say that fines amounting to SR5000 (£1070) will be imposed on approved technical system providers in cases of failure to supply required driver data. Another fine of SR5000 will be imposed if these providers fail to maintain a continuous connection to the technical systems.

To address the issue of trip cancellations by drivers, the new amendments also sees a fine of SR4000 if a driver cannot see the specified departure and arrival locations before accepting or rejecting a trip request. This measure aims to reduce the occurrence of drivers accepting trips and subsequently cancelling them due to an inability to reach the specified arrival location.