Bahrain is cracking down hard on illegal taxi drivers.

General Director of Traffic Shaikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa said that in March, April and May 64 Asians, Bahrainis and Gulf nationals who run illegal taxis were arrested, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

They were referred to the Public Prosecution for legal action and sentenced to one month in jail, a BD1,000 ($2,633) fine and deportation for some of them.

He said that the department called through the media upon the public to stick to traffic rules, highlighting traffic campaigns that are being organised especially at areas for taxis, markets and shopping malls.

He said that there is co-operation with bodies such as police stations, Bahrain International Airport, officials at car parking of hotels and commercial malls to protect licensed taxi drivers and their livelihoods. - TradeArabia News Service