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Al Ain residents demand more new silver taxis

AL AIN - Al Ain residents are demanding more new silver taxis. The silver taxis were introduced in Al Ain last November following a decision by the Abu Dhabi's Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars (TransAD) to phase out old taxis. Al Ain residents are now demanding more new taxis rather than the old cabs.

Ghulam Ahmed Mohammed, Director-General of government-owned Al Ghazal Taxi Company, one of the seven franchise firms operating taxis in Abu Dhabi emirate, told Khaleej Times that 20 new cabs joined the Al Ghazal fleet last week. In addition, the other six taxi operators have also deployed new taxis in Al Ain.

Ghulam said his company had 36 silver cabs earlier. The number has gone up to 56 now.

"Our aim is to have 375 new taxis to cover Al Ain's far-flung areas such as Um Ghafa, Al Wegan and Al Sad," he added.

The other six companies operating taxi services under the supervision of TransAD and Emirates Driving School are Tawasul Transport, Arabia Taxi, Cars Taxi, Emirates Taxi, National Taxi and Q-Link Transport.

He highlighted the new drivers need training and houses. The procedures for these have slowed down the introduction of new taxis in the city's streets.

Ghulam said the regulations stopping issuing of fresh licences to old taxis in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain came into force in January this year.

"However, to solve the traffic problems of the residents, TransAD will increase the number of the new taxis gradually," he added.

TransAD decided to launch the new taxis in Abu Dhabi emirate to provide services of high standards in terms of passenger comfort, safety and style factors in line with the reputation and rapid development of the emirate and the expectation of the community, added Ghulam.