Job Discussion Forums

[gorkomi]

I'm wondering the cost for a taxi from Medical Center to Tahlia Street in Jeddah. I'm also wondering if anyone has a clue how much I could pay to have a driver take me there 5 days a week back and forth per month.

Someone told me 40 dollars each way, which I would never be able to afford.

Someone else told me I could probably get a driver to do this for 800 riyals per month, which sounds way too low for 40 substantial trips.

[scot47]

Which "Medical Center" is that ? Which district is it in ? Is it the building I knew as The National Guard Hospital ?

Standard fare without using the meter is around SR25 anywhere within reasonable distance. Haggle. You could negotiate a monthly deal for less than the figure you quote.

The fact that you were quoted a price in US Dollars tells us that they spotted a rube just off the boat. Or is "dollar" a typo for "riyal" ? There is a difference !

10 years ago I was paying 20SR, one way, for the daily trip from Khaledeya to Ruwais (near the Balad). Bus fare was SR2.

[gorkomi]

Sorry, I think I meant Medical City, between Jeddah and Mecca.

It was a Saudi friend who quoted me $40 US each way; he just made a guess.

[gorkomi]

34 kilometers.

http://www.distancesfrom.com/sa/directions-from-jeddah-to-King-Abdulaziz-Medical-City-Jeddah/DirectionHistory/7305105.aspx

[nomad soul]

I paid a private driver approximately $8 daily for 10 kilometers (roundtrip) within Jeddah, so I'd guess it would cost you anywhere from $50-$100 roundtrip, city-to-city, with one dedicated driver. I had two Saudi colleagues who lived in Makkah who made a similar trip everyday, but they shared the ride as much as possible. As Scot47 pointed out, the bus (SAPTCO) would be cheaper, and of course, if you're male, you could always drive yourself. Frankly, it's way too long and expensive a trip to take on a daily basis---best to move closer to work.

[trapezius]

That's too far away from where you live, and is considered to be outside the city. Your options:

1) Stay where you are, and spend a lot on taxis
2) Stay where you are, and get a car
3) Stay where you are, and car pool with other colleagues, or with people who work at the Laureate College just next door to KAMC
4) Move to the are where KAMC is, pay a lot less in taxis, but then be isolated from everything good in the city, which isn't much to begin with

I think I know someone who works at Laureate College. He was living close by, but he was planning on moving to the city as it is so isolated there. Do you want me to put you in touch with him?

As for taxis, if I were to go there, I would probably pay about SR. 100 for that trip, maybe 80. But, if you are white, be prepared to pay more. If you get a package deal for a whole month, 5 days a week round trip, I would guess about SR. 2,000 minimum. You see, when he is on his way to come pick you up at the end of the day, he can't take any other passengers, so he has to charge enough to still make what he usually makes. Anyway, 100 x 2 x 5 x 4 = 4,000. So, that's why I said 2,000 min, probably more.

Better option, get a used Camry for 30-40k, or put money down on a new economy car (Corolla), about 1,200 - 1,500 per month.

[gorkomi]

Wow, Trapezius, that's a lot of information!

Well it couldn't hurt to put me in contact with that person I suppose, if we could save money. I'm kind of independent though, and might prefer taxis alone so I can sleep and think about things.

Okay I shared what you wrote with a Saudi, and he said "I think you could find someone for 1000 a month" 300 and something dollars per month sounds too low for me. I said "You do realize this is 34 kilos each way" but he still said he thought someone would do it. It embarrasses me to even ask someone for that price.

2000 is still a lot for transportation per month, but I'd be willing to do that I think. 4000, oh no.

[nomad soul]

The problem with negotiating too low is that the driver may agree to it for a couple of months, but by month three, he'll likely demand more money. That leaves you with the dilemma of either paying more so you don't end up stranded, or scrambling to find a replacement driver, in which you may still end up paying more.

[plumpy nut]

[trapezius]

This is 21 miles... I am sure a 21 mile cab ride would be quite expensive in the US.

[scot47]

That is a long way. I thought you were talking about a hospital within Jeddah

[johnslat]

New York City rates:

Standard City Rate (Rate Code 1)
$2.50 upon entry
$0.50 for each additional unit
The unit fare is:

one-fifth of a mile, when the taxicab is traveling at 6 miles an hour or more; or
60 seconds when not in motion or traveling at less than 6 miles per hour.
The taximeter shall combine fractional measures of distance and time in accruing a unit of fare. Any combination of distance or time shall be computed by the taximeter in accordance with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 44.
The fare shall include pre-assessment of the unit currently being accrued; the amount due may therefore include a full unit charge for a final, fractional unit.
Night surcharge of $.50 after 8:00 PM & before 6:00 AM
Peak hour Weekday Surcharge of $1.00 Monday - Friday after 4:00 PM & before 8:00 PM
New York State Tax Surcharge of $.50 per ride

So, 21 miles = about $55 (at 6 miles an hour or more.)

Regards,
John

[gorkomi]

Now that's the price for a taxi in NYC. What I'd like to know is where the Broadway-on-Saudi musicals and Saudi Metropolitan Opera are located. Any help appreciated.

[johnslat]

Dear gorkomi,

My post was in response to these, especially plumpy nut's:

gorkomi: "Sorry, I think I meant Medical City, between Jeddah and Mecca.
It was a Saudi friend who quoted me $40 US each way; he just made a guess."


plumpy nut: "Taxis aren't even that much in U.S. cities."

trapezius: "This is 21 miles... I am sure a 21 mile cab ride would be quite expensive in the US."

Regards,
John

[gorkomi]

...