Riyadh – Passengers across Saudi Arabia are entitled to a free taxi ride if the driver fails to activate the fare meter, the Transport General Authority (TGA) has confirmed. This new regulation aims to ensure fair pricing, prevent overcharging, and promote transparency in the kingdom’s growing transportation sector.
According to a report by the Saudi Gazette, the TGA now mandates all taxi drivers to switch on the fare meter at the start of every trip. Non-compliance allows passengers to complete the journey without paying, a move that serves both as a deterrent to malpractice and as a protection mechanism for riders.
Enhancing Transport Integrity During Ramadan
The rule comes into sharper focus during the holy month of Ramadan, when millions of residents, pilgrims, and tourists use taxis for travel between religious sites, particularly in Mecca and Medina. To ensure transport quality, the TGA intensified inspection efforts throughout the month.
During the first week of Ramadan, inspection teams carried out over 72,000 field checks, identifying more than 12,500 violations. These included issues related to license compliance, vehicle safety, unauthorized services, and improper meter usage. Inspectors also monitored overall safety and operational standards among taxi operators and service providers.
Educating Pilgrims and Visitors
The Pilgrims Awareness Center, working in collaboration with the TGA, has launched awareness campaigns to educate visitors—especially Umrah performers and international tourists—about their rights when using taxis and other public transport services. Passengers are also encouraged to report violations through official channels provided by the authorities.
Sector Performance Surges
Commenting on the broader performance of the transport sector during Ramadan, Dr. Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih, Acting President of the TGA, said the authority achieved record operational efficiency across various modes of transportation.
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The Haramain High-Speed Railway transported more than 1.2 million passengers, a 21 percent increase from the previous year.
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Public buses operating within cities carried over 10 million passengers.
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Ride-hailing services completed over 7.8 million trips.
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The car rental sector recorded more than 400,000 contracts, marking a 26 percent growth.
“These figures highlight the readiness and effectiveness of the Kingdom’s integrated transport systems, especially during peak periods such as Ramadan,” said Al-Rumaih.
A Step Toward Transparency and Efficiency
The enforcement of fare meter regulations is part of Saudi Arabia’s wider goal to modernize its transport infrastructure and strengthen consumer protection. By mandating meter usage and rewarding passenger vigilance, the Kingdom is taking a clear stance against fare manipulation and service irregularities.
As the transportation sector continues to evolve under Vision 2030, regulatory measures such as these are key to building a transparent, reliable, and citizen-centric transport environment.
