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Cabbies Find a Way to Make Quick Buck

SHARJAH - Cabbies in Sharjah are resorting to quick money making ways and as usual, it is the public in general that is subjected to difficulties on account of it.

The taxi drivers have put into practice the shared taxi system where they transport four passengers at a time and charge them Dh10 each for one trip.

The meter count here usually comes to Dh10 which is what they show the taxi company on the trip log sheet.

They put the meter on to show the company that they are moving passengers for eg. from the industrial area to City Centre for Dh10.

The taxi driver’s net profit is Dh30! Simple as it sounds, the method is not authorised here.

The modus operandi is a welcome happening for those who find the current engaged taxi fares exhorbitant. Many taxi drivers wait near labours camps just to transport labourers as a faster way to make an extra dirham.

The residents of Sharjah, already badly hit by the high costs of living, urged the authorities to solve the taxi shortage problem as soon as possible.

Bahi Badr Al Tuhami, a resident of Sharjah, said: “It has become very difficult to find taxis easily like before, we have to wait for a long time before a taxi comes by. I’m ready to pay any price because I can’t afford to stand for long time in this heat and humidity.”

Fatam Al Shamsi, another resident of Sharjah, said: The situation is worsening and the authority should find a quick solution which is not only affecting the public, but also the development of the emirate. I can’t imagine what people will do in times of emergencies.”

Ishtiaq Farzan, a labourer, said the taxi drivers charges are on a per person basis and not by trips.

“We accept it because it’s cheaper and affordable. If I take a taxi to Rolla Square, I would have to pay around Dh18, but if I take a taxi with a group of workers who want to go to the same place, I would only have to pay Dh10 and save Dh8. We are just trying to save as much as we can in order to survive.”

Alamuldeen K., a driver at City Taxi said: “The poor payment schemes and heavy deductions from the monthly commissions are reasons that force taxi drivers to look for an extra income. We do not get a fixed monthly salary, instead we get a 30 per cent commission.”

Another driver who did not wish to be named, said: “The traffic jams in Sharjah waste our time and we make little money. Most of the customers want to go to Dubai. The law does not allow us to operate freely between the emirates.”

He added that the deductions by the management are not justified. “We are told that we have committed traffic violations, but we are never shown any proof.”

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Fahad Al Hamadi, executive director of Sharjah Transport Authority (STA) said: “STA monitors the movement of taxis, their activities and overall wok patterns. We receive a lot of complaints about the shortage of taxis in the emirate.

“This is absolutely against STA policies as the taxi services have been launched to provide a good service for the public in the emirate. We have started taking action and have sent inspectors to stop these drivers waiting outside labour camps,” he continued, “They will face tough penalties if caught.”

Rahma Majid Al Shamsi, assistant director of STA said that this was not the only reason that has caused a shortage of taxis in the emirate. He reckons the shortage of drivers is another factor.

“The STA tried to solve the problem by trying to attract drivers by paying them Dh500 as incentive in addition to their commission which ranges from 20 to 35 per cent after the stipulated minimum return of Dh300,” he said, “The high cost of living forced the drivers to resort to such means just to survive.”

He added: “In Sharjah there are 5,500 taxis being operated by STA, Union Taxi, City Taxi, Emirates and Advantage Taxis. There is a shortage of 250 drivers.

“The only solution is to bring drivers from Asia and Arab countries and provide them with accommodation and pay them a salary between Dh2,500 and Dh3,000 to encourage them to remain in the profession.”

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