Khaberni - Nidal Assaf, the advisor of the smart transportation applications file at the Land Transport Authority, said on Wednesday that the granting of preliminary approvals to 12 companies to work in the passenger transport sector using smart applications came after the decision to open the door for investment in passenger transport through smart applications, considering it as an investment market requiring the expansion of the base of operating companies, contributing to the improvement of the quality of services provided to citizens and service providers alike.
Assaf explained in statements to "Al-Mamlaka" channel that one of the main reasons for making this decision is to regulate the market and prevent the operation of unlicensed applications, and to confine the activity within the legal framework.
He pointed out that smart transportation applications are one of the modern transport patterns, while emphasizing the importance of preserving the "yellow taxi" pattern as one of the basic transport patterns, noting that the new system and instructions granted privileges to the yellow taxi, including obtaining a special application different from the applications of smart transport companies.
He added that the new system emphasized the necessity of separating transport patterns, where the difference in pricing was adjusted from 15% to 20%, with the aim of preserving the yellow taxi pattern and preventing the overlap of patterns.
Assaf affirmed that the adopted pricing has not experienced any increase or change whether for the yellow taxi or smart transport applications, but the adjustment of the difference percentage was in compliance with the new instructions, emphasizing that application companies will be under strict supervision and a series of penalties in case of non-compliance with the set pricing or manipulation thereof.
Transport Minister Nidal Qatamin said on Wednesday that 12 companies had received preliminary approvals to work in the passenger transport sector using smart applications, confirming that the system for regulating passenger transport using smart applications for the year 2025 will be activated soon.
Qatamin mentioned that there is cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship to block any system or service outside the boundaries of the system, which preserves the rights of citizens, drivers, and companies, noting that the operational age for vehicles working with applications is set at 7 years.
