Amman's first dial-up taxi service will start operating as of mid-October, after the scheduled operation for August was delayed, the Jordan-Kuwait Noor Financial Investment Company said.

The plan was to start operating the taxis in August, but the Greater Amman Municipality asked us to purchase more luxurious cars of different models. This is why we delayed the operation.

The Jordan-Kuwait Noor Financial Investment, said the new cars are currently being shipped, added that a total of 240 taxis will start operating between October 15 and November 10.

Under a JD8 million agreement between the company and the government, the new taxis will be silver with blue taxi signs adorning the roofs of the vehicles.

The company is to operate 400 taxis, according to the deal.

Meanwhile, the source added that the company has finalized criteria for the appointment of some 800 taxi drivers, adding that the drivers will be covered by health insurance and social security in addition to several work benefits.

The taxis will also be equipped with vehicle tracking, navigation and dispatching systems.

Passengers will be able to pay their fares with cash, smart cards or credit cards and they will be able to ask for receipts showing the time, date, fare and distance traveled.

The Noor Company won the JD8 million tender floated by the Public Transport Regulatory Commission in July 2007 to run the service.

Under the contract, the company is allowed to set a starting price for meters to 350 cents (fils) and post advertisements in the taxis.

Around five such cabs will also be permitted to transport passengers between the various governorates. At present, there are over 16,500 taxis in the Kingdom and 10,500 taxis the capital alone with the starting tariff set at 250 fils.The Jordan-Kuwait Noor Financial Investment Company is a branch of the Kuwait-based Noor Investment Company, which plans to expand its investments in Jordan through new projects in the industrial and real estate sectors.

Comments (1)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

at last
written by Nikki Hoffman, September 14, 2008

Well its about time.
The last time I was in Jordan it was a nightmare getting a taxi during rush hour, or if you are in a remote place as you will need to walk to the main street to hail one.

• 
• +3
• 
• 

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment