New transport fares approval draws complaints, reactions – ‘No commodities price hike’

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KUWAIT CITY, Sept 20: Ministry of Interior’s approval of the new fares for taxis and public transport has drawn complaints and reactions among citizens and expatriates.

In this context, Citizen Hamad Al-Dhufairi said he expected the raise in airport taxis not to exceed 250 fils or 500 fils since the distance covered from Kuwait airport to the Kuwaiti areas is not long. Adel Attiya lamented that taxi fare from airport to Jahra has been raised by KD 12.

He vowed to avoid the airport taxi, indicating he will take a bus to the nearest station and continue with a taxi to Jahra for only KD 3.

For his part, Citizen Bu Sanad said it’s illogic for airport taxis to charge KD 7 to Ferdous, while it takes only 15 minutes to reach there. He added the recent fares will increase the suffering of citizens and expatriates with limited income.

Another citizen Naji Al-Fadhli said he was surprised to find out that the fare to Saad Al-Abdullah area had been increased from KD 8 to KD 12 with four-passenger sedan taxis, and KD 18 with five-passenger vehicles, KD 22 for seven-passenger vehicle and KD 27 for Limousine.

Mansour Essa revealed that he arrived in Kuwait one hour ago and was astonished to discover that seven-passenger taxis from the airport to Hawalli had been raised from KD 7 to KD 13, so he called a friend to take him home.

Ibrahim Bandar, another citizen, was annoyed with the attitude of taxi drivers who treat passengers with indifference by not giving them a hand while packing their baggage into the taxi. He stressed the new charges will slow down the activities of airport taxis, as passengers will arrange with relatives or friends to take them home.

Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr Yusuf Al-Ali disclosed that parliamentary questioning is the prerogative of MPs. He added the MPs have the constitutional right to use the tool whenever necessary, reports Al-Rai daily. Al-Ali pointed to technical committees studying bills presented by some MPs to subsidize fuel for citizens after the recent increase in its prices.

He stressed that a study is still underway and the proposals are yet to be referred to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He denied any plan to toughen the penalty against artificial prices increase but explained that the law if enforced will not tolerate unjustified raise in commodity prices.

He stressed the new fuel prices will not lead to skyrocketing prices of commodities since diesel is used in commercial transportation. He called on citizens and expatriates to call hotline 135 in case they experience any hike in prices of commodities or service, particularly in delivery services of the restaurants. He advised complainants to keep the receipt to facilitate the task of employees of the commercial monitoring sector.

By Najeh Bilal Al-Seyassah Staff and Agencies

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