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Single women slam cabbies’ behaviour

Many say that the drivers, on several occasions, take them ‘for a ride’ and even go to the extent of making passes at them.

Manjula Kumari, a Sri Lankan who works as a part time housemaid, told Khaleej Times: “I have to travel from Kuwaiti Roundabout to Abu Shagara for my job for which I need a taxi every day. On many occasions, taxi drivers have made passes at me. Maybe they think that because I am a woman, it is okay to behave the way they do.”

Nancy Petra K. who works as a secretary in Sharjah also said that many drivers tried to involve passengers in unwanted small talk. “Every morning on my way to work, I have to tell taxi drivers that I am not in the mood to talk about my private life with them. Sometimes, these drivers are just curious about the passengers, but on other occasions, they are extremely rude even with women,” she said.

She also complained that drivers of private taxis glared at passengers in the rear view mirror and also became agitated if asked to hunt for an address.

Mahmood Qureshi, a taxi driver, denied the allegations and said that due to the nature of their job, they tried to talk to passengers to pass time pleasantly.

Officials from the Sharjah Transport Corporation (STC) said that the corporation had launched a plan earlier this year to phase out a total of 3,000 private taxis in the emirate and replace them with new-metered taxis.

“These new taxis will have drivers who have been trained and taught about rules regarding their behaviour with passengers,” said an official. “Drivers have also been taught the basics about hygiene so that no passenger is offended,” he added.

He also said that drivers have also been taught methods of dealing with clients including being civilised and avoiding topics that may lead to arguments.

Of the 5,400 private taxis operating in Sharjah, the corporation will phase out a total of 3,000 this year, and will replace 3,000 taxis operated by four franchise companies. In 2005, some 2,400 taxis will gradually be phased out and the franchised companies will start off with 750 taxis each.

At present, 265 Citi Taxis have hit the roads and by end of December 2004, the total number of taxis on the roads will be 750, say officials. Citi Taxi operates as Cars Taxi in Dubai, which is a division of ETA Ascon Group and a franchisee of Dubai Transport Corporation.

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