Public Taxis Will Soon Have Ads Playing Inside Them

The Public Transport Authority has released draft regulations for public and airport taxis across Saudi Arabia, introducing the option for in-vehicle advertising. Ads must be placed in a way that does not distract the driver or affect the comfort of passengers.

The draft rules also give drivers the right to refuse service in certain cases, such as when passengers smoke, eat, fail to wear seatbelts, behave aggressively, or request unknown destinations. Pets will be permitted in taxis as long as they are kept in cages. Drivers will also be required to activate fare meters, maintain personal appearance, keep vehicles clean, and follow a dress code, with a notice displayed stating that any trip without a running metre is free.

The regulations, now published on the Istitlaa platform for public feedback, reflect efforts to standardise taxi operations across the Kingdom. Public taxi drivers will be allowed to travel within the licensed city and beyond, while airport taxis can transport passengers out of airports but cannot make return journeys from cities back to airports.