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Sharjah-Ajman share taxis increase rates

SHARJAH — Private ‘share taxis’ plying illegally between Sharjah and Ajman have increased their fare from Dh2 to Dh4, while those from Ajman to Sharjah have increased it by Dh1, from Dh2 to Dh3, said travellers.

Officials from Sharjah Transport Corporation (STC) said despite the practice being banned in the emirate, these taxis were offering attractive rates to customers to lure them.

“Though they have increased the fare, it remains lesser than that charged by STC which is Dh5,” said Mohammed Abdulla Al Buraimi, Coordinator, of Illegal Operations at STC.

To lure customers, the illegally plying share taxis on the Sharjah-Ajman route increased their fare from last week, but have still kept it lower than the fares fixed by Sharjah Transport Corporation, he said.

He also said that STC was trying to curb the phenomenon with the help of Sharjah Police.

“We have different fines for such cases starting from Dh1,000 for the first time and Dh2,000 for the second time if it is a private car. If it is a company car being used for this purpose, then the fine is greater starting from Dh2,000 for first time and Dh4,000 for second,” he explained.

However, some drivers from Ajman attributed the reason for the fare hike to the new Ajman meter taxis, which replaced the old ones recently. The meter taxis charge Dh13 for a trip from Ajman to Sharjah.

“The meter charge is high and this is what has forced us to increase the fare,” said a driver.

Share taxi users are also complaining that they have to pay double the amount they used to pay for transportation between Sharjah and Ajman.

“Sharing taxis have been the cheapest means of transportation till now,” said Mansour Khan, adding that the hike would affect their budget.