BAHRAIN. London cabs will be operating on Bahrain's roads by the National Day celebrations, in mid-December, it was revealed.

The cabs will be operated by the newly formed Arabian Cab Company, initiated by the Economic Development Board (EDB). Euro Motors will deliver 200 ultra-modern versions of the London taxi cabs to the company.

They will be white, with the roofs in black and white, like a chequered flag. The vehicles will be the latest TX4 models and special features include a 13-inch LCD screen which will display news and advertisements.

Each will have special facilities to help aboard passengers with special mobility needs, such as wheelchair users. Passengers will also be able to pay by credit or debit card and there will be a privacy partition between the driver and passengers. The TX4 can transport up to five passengers.

The aim is to raise the standard of taxi services in Bahrain, EDB's Deputy CEO-Special Projects Ausamah Al Absi told a press conference at the Euro Motors showroom in Sitra.

"In a bid to further develop the economy through innovation and encouraging competition, the EDB, the Interior Ministry, the Justice and Islamic Affairs Ministry and the Bahrain Development Bank spearheaded a project to regulate and develop the taxi industry in the Kingdom," he said.

"As a result, the Arabian Cab Company was incorporated to complement and bolster the current taxi services in the Kingdom. The company will create 830 jobs of which at least 96% will go to Bahrainis.

"It will provide innovative solutions to cater to the needs of the passengers, including a 24-hour call centre service and strict application of the meter, with clearly stated tariffs."

The establishment of the company has paved the way for other companies to open up, meaning that not only will taxis now be a quality service, but eventually a thriving industry in the private sector, said Al Absi.

Arabian Cab Company has ordered 200 of the widely-recognised London taxi cabs, said Euro Motors Managing Director Zayed Al Zayani.

"Produced by LTI, the world's premier manufacturer of purpose-built taxis, the vehicles will be imported by Euro Motors, who are the authorised dealers in the Kingdom," he said. "The total investment on the project is BHD4.5 million (US$12 million).'

Al Absi said establishing the company was part of a bigger initiative to improve the quality and standards of service in the taxi industry, which will boost the economy through regulation, competition and growth in employment.

"An efficient and fair taxi service is very important to meet the needs of the people of Bahrain," he said..

"Furthermore the service is in line with the direction in which the country is heading, in terms of development, professionalism and efficiency, as taxis are the first point of contact for foreign businessmen and tourists in Bahrain."

The company will provide a passenger-friendly service, in line with Bahrain's 'business friendly' culture, said Managing Director Eyad Abdulla Fakhri.

It has been established with a capital of BHD1.96 million and 314 shareholders, consisting entirely of orphans and widows of deceased taxi drivers and elderly drivers who together own 80% of the company.

The remaining 20% is owned by the Bahrain Development Bank.

LTI, a British company that started off under the name Carbodies in 1928, has produced over 130,000 taxi vehicles.

Al Absi said that the new company will own a total of 314 cars, of which 200 would be London cabs. Some 35 of the vehicles are for women and will be driven by lady drivers.

"We hope to start the operations with 50 vehicles on 16 December and the full fleet will be in operation by March next year," he said.

MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS COMMENT & ANALYSIS

• Top news
• Business News
• Company News