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London taxi-drivers are world-renowned for having an opinion about everything ... and not being frightened to let their passengers know about it either!
Now their counterparts in Bahrain, driving the latest London-style cabs around the mean streets of Manama or picking up passengers from Saar on the airport run, plan to put the kingdom on the map with Bahraini banter as captivating as any Cockney charmer's chatter.
The black and white chequered taxis arrived in style this week and GulfWeekly reporter Anasuya Kesavan hailed a ride to put the service to the test and see if the historic rip-off stigma over fares can finally be laid to rest after her colleague Asma Salman attended the grand launch.
The newly-formed Arabian Taxi Company (ATC) aims to enhance the kingdom's 'business friendly' culture. The first 50 London-style black and white chequered cabs finally hit the roads of Bahrain on Sunday afternoon.
Although originally set to go into service in December to coincide with the National Day celebrations, they will eventually be part of a 200-strong fleet driving alongside 114 other models suitable for larger groups and families.
The taxis can accommodate up to five passengers, have a 13 inch LCD screen and are fitted with foldable ramps for wheelchair access.
The custom-made metered cabs manufactured by UK based LTI Company were delivered to ATC by Euro Motors and boast Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. They are connected electronically to a control centre to ensure that passengers are not overcharged. They operate on fares charged by all taxi drivers with meters starting at BD1 during the day and BD1.5 during the night, with increased fares on weekends and airport pick-ups.
"Bahrain needs a service like this and I'm excited to be a part of it. I drove the manual version of the London cab when I was in the UK two years ago," said Bahraini taxi driver, Rashid Abdullah, 61.
ATC is a joint initiative between the Bahrain Development Bank (BDB) and Economic Development Board (EDB). ATC has been established with a capital of BD1.96 million and 314 shareholders, consisting entirely of orphans and widows of deceased taxi drivers and elderly drivers, who together own 80 per cent of the company. The remaining 20 per cent is owned by the Bahrain Development Bank.
It all began when my husband called me on Sunday evening from his plush 14th floor office in Seef to exclaim: "I just saw a London Taxi!"
I decided then and there that I had to be the first in the family to catch a ride. So, early on Monday morning, I abandoned my car for a brand new Bahrain cab.
Driver Mansoor Abdul Hassan Ali, 26, a former security guard, was full of enthusiasm and Bahrain banter saying how delighted he was with his new job and the perks it offered. He told me that they included health insurance, allowances and a smart new uniform, in the form of a traditional thob and ghuttra.
He proudly explained the functions of the various buttons on the taxi door and told me about the features of the car. Passengers could have privacy, safety locks and a DVD screen and wheelchair access was available too for the less able.
Before we set off he politely reminded me to wear my seat belt and asked if the air-conditioning temperature was to my preference.
And he proudly showed me that the taxi's meter was in full working order!
I was also impressed with the leg space ... although at the time I was travelling alone and wondered what it would be like with my family in tow and bags of luggage.
My final test ... did he have an opinion about the credit crunch as I am sure every one of his London counterparts would have.
Oh yes! He assured me that the problems arose from the real estate sector and would continue for some time, even predicting a further dip of 50 per cent in the next six months.
Having met Mansoor and tested the new London-style cabs I am more confident about the public transport situation in the kingdom, especially when it comes to getting a lift home when my car needs its service, for a quick visit to Lulu Hypermarket when my husband is using my car and even safely sending my teenage daughter to school if ever she misses the bus.
And, of course, being fairly charged by a metered, flagged down taxi will be a whole new experience for all of us!
- Anasuya Kesavan
"I have the option of increasing my income two fold in this job which is an incentive for me to work hard," said former Speedy Motors driver and retired BDF employee, Jaffar Hussain.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, chief cxecutive of EDB added: "The new company will secure more than 700 new jobs for Bahrainis which is evidence that Vision 2030 is delivering a better life for every Bahraini."
Arabian Taxi Company is part of a bigger initiative to improve the quality and standards of service in the taxi industry, which hopes to boost the economy through regulation, competition and growth in employment.
Thirty-five of the vehicles from the fleet will be driven by female drivers to offer a convenient service to ladies and families but, more importantly, to empower Bahraini women to work towards an improved financial future. "I'm happy that new projects like this are coming to Bahrain which gives Bahraini ladies the chance to be a part of the workforce," said Fatima Abdul Hussain Abdullah, 25.
The total investment on the project is BD4.5 million and the complete fleet of taxis are expected to be on the roads of Bahrain by April.
