Transportation sector to be upgraded

Manama, Mar. 29 (BNA): Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed stressed keenness on developing the sector of land transport, upgrading services and enhancing the competence of the personnel. The minister was responding to a query by MP Adel bin Abdulrahman Al-Asoomi on the policy of the ministry public transportation drivers (taxi drivers). Addressing the Parliament session today, he reiterated sustained cooperation with the Ministry of Interior to monitor lawbreakers violating the rules regulating the sector of public transport. He announced that clampdowns would be stepped up to crackdown on violators transporting people without authorization, stressing keenness on enhancing the standards of services and ensuring taxi meters are used. In this regard, he said that 72 illegal drivers have been rounded-up-of whom 50 have already been deported from the country, adding that legal action in underway against the remaining 22 others. The minister announced that inspection campaigns would be stepped up from next week against lawbreakers in coordination with the General Directorate. He stressed keenness on encouraging work with Bahrainis, underlining the need for land transportation companies to commit to the achieving the adequate rates of Bahrainisation. The minister stress the need to develop the taxi transportation sector, pointing in this regard that the two companies which were authorized recently have provided premium services.