Taxis in Dubai won’t be part of unified fare structure

Dubai taxi fares will follow a different fare structure and will not be part of the unified fare structure for public transport system that includes the Dubai Metro, tram and buses. Dubai Taxi will also increase its fleet of taxis by 180 cars in the first quarter of 2015, according to a senior official at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Also read: Chuck cars and opt for public transport means

The RTA launched Nol cards in taxis in March this year, when it was stated that taxi users in Dubai can pay the fare by debit, credit or Nol cards.

According to Adel Shakri, Director of Transportation System at RTA’s Public Transport Authority (PTA), the Dubai Taxi price structure will be different and will not be part of the recently launched public transport Nol packages.

As usual, payment for taxis will be as per the distance travelled, Shakri said. “The PTA will increase its fleet of taxis with 180 cars by the first quarter of 2015. We are also looking to hire more taxi drivers (for) ... the expanding fleet.”

As of now, there are 8,746 men and women taxi drivers from 37 countries working in Dubai’s Taxi Corporation fleet.

“Credit cards have already been implemented in a few taxis, especially airport taxis, and people can also use Nol cards to pay for airport taxi. However, payment for the taxi is separate and is not part of the public transport package that was introduced ... recently,” said Shakri.

With regards to telephone booking for taxis, Shakri said: “Rates are applicable as per the taxi dispatch centre rates. People can also download the free app ‘RTA smart Taxi’ to hire cabs and it is available in both iOS and Android platforms. Users will have to register once and by clicking, or shaking the phone, the app will search for the nearest taxi to you.”

Last month, the flag-down rate of taxis in Dubai was hiked from Dh3 to Dh5 during peak hours. The flag-down rate of orders from the Booking and Dispatch Centre was hiked from Dh6 to Dh8 during off-peak hours; and from Dh10 to Dh12 during peak hours. The taxi drivers were also recently informed that they will not benefit from the Dh2 hike in the flag-down rates.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com