Kuwait prepares for taxi fare increase

Taxi fares in Kuwait will rise from tomorrow, coinciding with the country’s increase in petrol prices

Kuwait Times reports that the new public taxi fares will be based on distance travelled and range from KD0.150 ($0.50) within Kuwait City to KD0.600 ($2) in Jahra and Ahmadi.

Travelling from Kuwait City to border areas will cost KD2.500 ($8.28).

Fares will also vary based on taxi type, with private taxis starting at KD0.500 ($1.66) and charging KD0.150 per kilometre and KD0.050 ($0.17) per waiting minute.

Airport taxis and limousines will range from KD5 ($16.56) to KD35 ($116).

The taxi rate increases follow the Kuwaiti cabinets decision to raise petrol prices last month.

From September 1, the price of low octane petrol will increase 41 per cent, high-grade petrol 61 per cent and low-emission petrol 83 per cent.

Read: Kuwait approves 83% petrol price increase

Earlier this month, the World Bank’s country manager for Kuwait described the move as “politically and economically bold”, according to state news agency KUNA.

Read: Kuwait petrol hike ‘politically bold’ – World Bank

However, it has been met with opposition from some MPs who say it will increase the financial burden on Kuwaitis.

Long queues have been seen at petrol pumps ahead of the increase, according to Kuwait Times.

On Tuesday, the country’s minister of commerce and industry sought to reassure the public that the price increase would not affect basic commodities.

Dr Yousef Al-Ali said any unjustified bid to raise prices “would be met by firm measures from the ministry’s inspectors”.