Bahrain taxi drivers protest Uber

Local taxi drivers have threatened to go on a strike, if the authorities continue to “disregard their existence”.

This was voiced in a meeting organised by Public Transport Drivers Society (PTDS) yesterday and was attended by over 50 Bahraini taxi drivers, including representatives of Arabian Taxi private company.

The meeting mainly focused on Uber taxi service app, which was recently introduced in Bahrain.

iThe mobile application, which is estimated to be downloaded by over 10 million users across the world, links Uber registered drivers with customers within minutes by using their smart phones. The idea of the app is that “anyone could be a taxi driver with a push of a button.”

Bahraini taxi drivers criticised the authorities for allowing the new “unsafe” service to operate in Bahrain and unjustly dominate the taxi business in such a small country.

During the meeting, PTDS Administrative Member Waleed Fakhro said, “In Bahrain, we have around 5,000 registered taxi drivers. Each one of them has to shell out around BD20,000 to enter the public transportation sector (taxis). The government imposes tough requirements on drivers, such as licence, registration, insurance, meters, new cars and other expenses.” Mr Fakhro explained that most of the drivers offering Uber services are from the illegal employment category, which is not licensed to transport people or even stay in the country.

He claimed Uber drivers didn’t have to go through any of the legal procedures Bahraini taxi drivers went through. In fact, he said, “it (the Uber app) has made easier for them to operate in the country.” Mr Fakhro said the taximeters are regulated by the authorities in Bahrain and is mandatory for taxis to operate, while Uber drivers use meters that are not supervised by the government.

PTDS officials revealed that they have lodged a complaint, signed by 100 Bahraini taxi drivers, against the new unfair competition to Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Kamal Ahmed, but they claimed that they received no reply.

“We have no problem with honest competition. Treat the expat Uber taxi drivers the same way we are treated and we will not complain,” one member said. “Constitutionally, this job is demarcated for licensed Bahrainis and allowing Uber to operate is simply against the law.”

Not safe

Society member Hussain Habib called upon the Transportation and Telecommunication Ministry, Interior Ministry, Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry and Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) to interfere and put an end to this “dangerous phenomenon.” “Drivers working with the application are illegal residents and their services are outside the framework of the law,” said Mr Habib. He explained: “Customers of Uber might pay less for their trips, but who guarantees their safety? There is no assurance that he person behind the wheel, who passengers know nothing about, isn’t a psychopath killer or a rapist. For us taxi drivers, we must obtain a good conduct certificates from Interior Ministry to become eligible for licence.” Mr Habib said that some incidents of rape and theft were reported from India and the UK when criminals used Uber as a cover for their crimes. He said drivers of the newly-launched service should be registered with the government, considering the safety of citizens and residents.

Illegal business

The members of the society said that the illegal business of Uber in Bahrain has rapidly expanded, involving networks of companies and individuals. They claimed that private car rental companies provide Uber drivers with vehicles, anytime they’re required. They said that the companies offer the drivers ‘lower rates on the condition of splitting the profit once the job is done’.

Left out

PTDS Chairman Mohammed Al Barboory explained that they’re being disregarded by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication, which constantly marginalise their demands. He criticised the ministry for permitting and promoting such a service in Bahrain, knowing the deteriorated conditions of the people working in the transportation sector.

“We are also ignored by Parliamentarians, who should be our representatives and convey our grievances and demands to the authorities. Taxi drivers are the welcoming gate of the country and reflect its development. Authorities refuse to join hands with us to develop this key sector,” added Mr Al Barboory.