Smart system to reduce taxi waiting time in Dubai

Dubai - System will help RTA to know real time data of number of visitors attending events and deploy adequate transit means.

By Staff Reporter

Published: Sun 5 Aug 2018, 5:49 PM

Visitors to Dubai, which hosts more than 500 events annually, can have a smooth ride, as Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is planning to launch a smart time management system (STMS).

The system will help the RTA to know real time data of number of visitors attending events and deploy adequate transit means at the venue. Besides, it also enables taxi riders to get information on the number of available vehicles along with the expected waiting time.

While attending a briefing on the new system, Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, hailed the STMS, which reflects the RTA's endeavours to realise the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It also echoes the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council, to support the smart city drive and rank Dubai as the smartest city in the world, according to Al Tayer.

He said: "To realise these objectives, the RTA is seeking to deliver services that exceed customers' expectations and make them happier. The RTA is keen to continue improving customer services and reducing the waiting time in line with the world's top practices."

Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, and Mohammed Nabhan, director of transport activities monitoring, briefed Al Tayer about the smart system, which ensures smooth entry and exit of visitors, the key success factor of any event.

How the idea was shaped

The idea of the STMS was conceived in the context of RTA's endeavours to streamline management of events and deliver excellent services to visitors. The RTA team has made a series of field visits to event venues in Dubai to get first-hand feedback and assess customer needs for taxis.

The team has then conducted a comprehensive study of venues to identify challenges encountered by clients when ordering taxis during events.

Accordingly, the idea of the system popped up, and it has been tested in two events held at the Dubai World Trade Centre for seven days. About 12,000 clients have benefited from the system in both events (at a rate of 1,700 clients per day).

The system has also been tested in one of the Dubai Mall entries for two days. Results of both trials showed a drop in the waiting time for taxi riders and a rise in customers' satisfaction rating.

Meanwhile, taxis in Dubai (Dubai Taxi, Hala Taxi and Franchise Company Taxis) have picked up 87.85million passengers in the first half of this year.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com