A major police crackdown will be launched today on rogue taxi drivers in Bahrain to ensure fares are based on meter readings.

'It targets cab drivers who do not abide by the meter fares,' General Directorate of Traffic Director-General Lieutenant-Colonel Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Sabah Al Khalifa announced yesterday.

'We will show no mercy to drivers violating the regulations on the use of the meter as stipulated in law 9 for 1979,' he said.

Citing Article 71, he warned that violators would have their licences revoked for 30 days.

The General Directorate of Traffic can even revoke taxi registration and plates for a month.

Should the violation recur within a year, the driving licence could be revoked for two years.

The taxi registration and plates can also be revoked for the same period.

The sanctions would also apply to taxi drivers who refuse to transport customers unjustifiably.

Customers can report violations involving means of public transportation on hotline 17782828.-TradeArabia News Service