• Home

Airport passenger dumped by cabbie

Recently, a case was brought to the notice of the Dubai Transportation Company (DTC) in which a passenger K.K. complained that one early morning, a rude taxi driver, who simply could not stomach the fact that the passenger who had got into his cab was travelling only from Dubai International Airport to Rashidiya, dumped the passenger on the roadside in a fit of rage and drove off.

The stunned passenger, in his complaint to the company said that since it was early in the morning when he had got into the cab that had pulled out of the airport line, he could not jot down the number of the taxi, but he had in possession a receipt (No. U230939) which showed an amount of Dh28.50.

The passenger said that the receipt was handed over to the supervisor at the Dubai Airport counter as proof but no action had been taken so far by the Dubai Transportation Company.

Mr Tamim took serious note of the matter and said that during the training courses provided to the DTC taxi drivers, they were clearly instructed to take into consideration several important points including dealing courteously with passengers.

“Drivers are always asked to remain courteous, exercise self-control and avoid acting irrationally,” explained Mr Tamim.

The taxi drivers are also asked to deal with the clients in a civilised manner and avoid topics that might lead to an argument, he said, adding that in case of violations, the drivers have to pay a financial penalty as well as a discipline penalty.

“In cases where such violations continued, the drivers concerned risked being suspended from their jobs eventually,” he added.

According to Mr Tamim, all drivers have been provided with a booklet of guidelines written in English, Urdu and Arabic which they have to study and follow. Other guidelines for passenger care that a driver has to follow include greeting clients courteously, assisting them in loading and unloading baggage, taking the initiative in tending to children as well as the handicapped and elderly, familiarising newcomers with landmarks and providing clients with a bill showing the metre fare as well as side panel number of the car, the date, time and the drivers’ signature.

• UAE