Sharjah Transport honours two drivers for returning cash and jewellery

Sharjah Transport has honoured two Pakistani drivers for returning cash and jewellery worth about Dh50,000 which two passengers left behind.

Arhama Al Shamsi, Assistant Director General of Sharjah Transport, on Wednesday said the two drivers — Rafique Ahmed Abdurrahman, a cabbie with the Citi Taxi, and Nader Khan Sherzada, an intercity bus driver — found the lost items in two carry cases a week ago.

“Rafique found Dh7,500 a woman passenger forgot in his cab while Nader discovered jewellery valued at Dh42,000, which a passenger left behind in the bus he was driving.”

Elaborating, Al Shamsi said Rafique, having found the woman’s carry case with the cash in it, rushed to the Lost and Found Section of his Citi Cab Company, and alerted them.

“The money was then handed over to the passenger who reported her lost bag at the Sharjah Transport Call Centre number, 600525252.” The same happened with the man who lost his jewellery in the bus from the Jubail Bus Station to Khor Fakkan city.

Commuters are advised to pay attention to the colour of the taxi and the driver’s uniform as every company has a distinct colour. “They should also keep the receipt of the tariff to easily identify the taxi.”

Honouring honest drivers with cash prizes, gifts and an appreciation certificate, Al Shamsi said Sharjah Transport always encourages good conduct among drivers. It has also adopted an incentive scheme worth Dh100,000. As per the Shukran (Thanks) programme, the drivers of the four franchise companies operating in the city are rewarded for good behaviour.

They may also replace the black points imposed against traffic violations with white ones.

“With the Dh100,000 specified for honouring better performing drivers, we want to provide the best of the best services to our customers and passengers who hit around 55 million in 2012,” said Al Shamsi, noting that Sharjah Transport has honoured 860 drivers since 2010 in three annual forums for their honesty and outstanding performance.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com