Khaberni - The Land Transport Regulatory Authority issued, on Monday, new instructions for regulating passenger transport using smart applications for the year 2025, with the aim of controlling the working mechanism of service providers, drivers, and vehicles, and ensuring their compliance with regulatory and technical requirements.
The instructions published by the Official Gazette define the general framework for the operation of companies that manage smart applications, granting the authority the power to supervise, monitor, and prevent any non-compliant practices.
The instructions require service providers to obtain the authority's approval before operating and to provide it with accurate data about drivers and vehicles, in addition to linking application systems with tracking (GPS) and electronic payment data, and requiring the clear display of the driver's and trip's information to the user through the application.
The instructions also require drivers to adhere to technical and behavioral specifications, not to use the vehicle for unauthorized purposes, and prohibit the operation of any unlicensed person.
The instructions emphasize the necessity of carrying a QR identification card issued by the authority and presenting it upon request.
The instructions include detailed provisions about passenger rights, including adhering to transparency in pricing, prohibiting the imposition of any undeclared additional charges, in addition to ensuring no misuse of personal data or sharing passenger information without consent.
The instructions include specific articles about penalties, allowing the authority to impose financial fines for violations, starting from 20 dinars up to 200 dinars depending on the type of violation, including operating an unlicensed vehicle, tampering with the fare, or violating safety conditions.
The authority is also granted the power to stop the service provider or driver from working or temporarily or permanently revoke the license in cases of repeated violations or in cases of violations affecting public safety.
The instructions stress the need for the driver to behave politely with passengers, not to use any offensive language, to ensure passenger safety during the trip, and not to forge any data, in addition to adhering to the official tariff and not exceeding or reducing it without approval.
Article 12 of the instructions stipulates that the service provider must adhere to the following:
Conduct a daily inspection of the vehicle before driving it, including the lights, tires, vehicle body, and seats, while keeping inspection records and informing the licensor of any faults discovered.
Ensure the availability of first aid kits and fire extinguishers in the vehicle.
Prepare the vehicle before and after each transition for orders, adhering to cleanliness and maintenance.
Refrain from eating or smoking or allowing others to use the phone while driving the vehicle.
Avoid smoking inside the vehicle and prevent others from smoking inside it.
Carry an identification card according to the specifications set by the General Manager, which includes the name of the service provider, license number, and vehicle number.
Refrain from speaking rudely to passengers or using swear words, insulting them, or harming them.
Deal politely and respectfully with the passengers, ensuring their safety during transport.
Commit to not forging any data while providing the service.
Charge the fare according to the bases and the mechanism for calculating the fees approved by the council, and not exceed it or reduce it.
Avoid using any other vehicle than the one authorized to provide passenger transport services via smart applications.
To view details of the new instructions (click here)
