18-05-2025
Uber, Careem drivers renew their complaints against companies
Ammon News - Drivers using smart transportation apps renewed their complaints about the high percentages deducted by companies for each trip.
Lorans Refai, head of the Captains and Drivers Committee, pointed out that the Land Transport Regulatory Commission had previously decided to set limits and ceilings for companies' percentages, not exceeding 22% and not falling below 15%, however, the current deduction reaches 30% for each trip.
Refai told "Ammon News Agency" that drivers are demanding that work permits for transportation be floated, so that permits can be issued to the same driver with any company, rather than in the name of a single company, explaining that both Uber and Careem hold approximately 11,500 driver permits out of a total of 13,000, in addition to reducing permit fees to JD200 annually, instead of JD400.
The government had tasked the Land Transport Regulatory Commission in April with activating the e-link between the systems it specifies and the smart passenger transport application systems, and updating the instructions for licensing companies and granting permits to achieve service quality and compliance standards and enhance competitiveness in this mode. However, the authority has not issued any such statement to date, he added.
Also, the drivers are calling for the vehicle's service life to be extended to 10 years and for the maximum driver age limit to be increased from 60 to 65.
In addition, he stated that if their demands continue to be ignored, drivers will be forced to intensify their protests—beginning with sit-ins and partial strikes, and eventually parking their cars at home and not moving them for the benefit of companies.
For her part, Abla Washah, spokesperson for the Land Transport Regulatory Commission, confirmed that the commission is reviewing the drivers' demands and is not standing against them.
Washah told "Ammon News Agency" that the commission respects all parties, noting that all demands are under review and that it will do what is in the best interest of all parties.
The commission had previously responded to drivers' demands and increased the operational lifespan of vehicles from 5 years to 7, she added.
