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28 March 2024

Dubai's RTA modifies starting rate of taxis as of December 1

Currently, the fleet consists of 9087 taxis. (File)

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By Staff

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has approved the modification of taximeter starting rate, starting from December 1, 2014, in order to integrate this service with Nol cards package launched of late by the RTA, the agency said in a media statement on Tuesday.

The new flag-down rate will change from the current Dh3 to Dh5 when a cab is stopped on the street. There is no special rate for peak hours when a taxi is stopped on the street, and the new flag-down rate of Dh5 will apply throughout the day.

The flag-down rate of orders from the Booking & Despatch Centre will also be modified from Dh6 to Dh8 during off-peak hours. During morning and evening peak hours, the flag-down rate will change from Dh10 to Dh12, the morning peak hours being from 7am to 10am, and during evening peak hours from 4pm to 8pm.

This modification is applicable from Saturday to Wednesday, while peak hours start from 4pm to 12 midnight on Thursdays and Fridays, the RTA said.

“The modification of flag-down rates was intended to leverage the service on offer to the public by deploying as many taxicabs as possible and ensuring that the service reaches out to customers in a timely manner, especially during morning and evening peak hours,” said Dr. Yousef Mohammed Al Ali, CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency.

“This decision is taken after the RTA has commissioned a number of field studies and surveys and benchmarking with a number of the world’s most developed cities in all areas, including taxis transport sector.

“The step is intended to overcome challenges that cabbies face during daily operations, stamp out all problems impeding the delivery of better services to the public and taxi users, and implement the best practices of the industry,” added Al Ali.

It is worth mentioning that the taxi fare applicable in Dubai is the cheapest among some of the world’s most developed cities such as London, New York, Amsterdam, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo and other well-known metropolises and cities.

“The decision applies to the Dubai taxi vehicles and taxis operated by other franchise companies under the umbrella of the RTA. The upgrade of taxi meters operating in Dubai will be completed within three weeks starting from December 1,” he added.

The CEO of Public Transport Agency noted that this step comes as part of the efforts made to upgrade the daily practices and performance of cabdrivers since the RTA views them as ambassadors dealing with passengers and strategic partners.

He also said it is in line with implementing plans and programmes for upgrading taxi service to make it characterised by luxury and entertainment, and is aligned with the highest standards in this field, besides activating cabbies’ role in advancing taxi services in Dubai by supporting and assisting them to increase their income.

RTA said the decision will significantly contribute to putting an end to the phenomenon of refusing to pick up passengers, winning public satisfaction and meeting the growing demand for this private service, which is classified as private transport featured by comfort, fun and privacy.