Police try to pacify drivers blocking traffic on the Haj Street in Makkah to protest a ban on old minibuses in the city. — Okaz photo Ali Arsan Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — A number of minibus drivers have refused to withdraw their vehicles from the streets of Makkah in blatant defiance of a recent announcement by the traffic police that old minibuses will not be allowed into the city during the Haj season. The committee entrusted to implement the decision was unable to convince the drivers to take their cars off the streets. In protest at the decision, the drivers blocked traffic on Haj Street for more than three hours and some even slashed the tires of two patrol cars. Concerned security agencies were dispatched to the scene and restored calm. Representatives of the Makkah governorate who came to review the situation met with about 200 drivers, listened to their demands and promised to come up with an amicable solution. Director of traffic in the holy city, Brig. Mishaal Al-Maghrabi, announced earlier that old minibuses will be prevented from transporting pilgrims due to the vehicles' unreliability and the chances of them breaking down. He set up a tripartite committee to monitor the minibuses and prevent them from roaming the streets of Makkah, something that adds to the city's traffic problems. “Not only are they old but these minibuses threaten the safety of the pilgrims. This is why we prevented them from transporting pilgrims," he explained. Minibus driver Samir Hijazi expressed discontent over what he called the “irresponsible behavior" of the traffic police, which resulted in the drivers blocking traffic on Haj Street. “We did not want to resort to any action that might affect general peace. It is not our way and we stand united against anyone who dares to create havoc," he said. Hijazi described the incident as a reaction to the action of the committee, which insisted that all minibuses be removed from the street. “People who were not directly concerned gathered on the street escalating the issue," he added. He said the owners of the minibuses knocked on all doors seeking a solution to their problem only to be repeatedly turned away. “For more than two months we went to all concerned officials but there was no response to our problem. The committee was harsh with us when it pulled our minibuses from the streets and took some drivers into police custody," he said. “All we want is a peaceful solution to our problem so we can continue to earn a living."
