Is Dubai ready for its first Taxi Butler?

Could Dubai be ready for its first Taxi Butler service?

The company, which provides these exclusive devices that can be installed at hotels, airports, restaurants and other high traffic locations, states it is currently in talks with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to implement the service in the emirate with a tie-up with Dubai Taxi Corporation.

The Taxi Butler itself is a device that allows the operator to order a cab for a desired person at the push of button, which will connect with the dispatcher and revert with a plate number and approximate time when the vehicle will arrive at the location.

The system was designed by Dutch founders Steven Blom and Otto Ruys, created specifically to ‘make sure people get the service they need from their taxis, but also to ensure drivers are able to deliver a better service’.

Such devices, which have already been placed in 47 locations in Sharjah by the emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority, recognises the various points where the Taxi Butler is placed and dispatches a vehicle as required at the push of a button.

Currently, Taxi Butlers can be found in Sharjah at The Sheraton Hotel, The Centro, Al Safeer Market, among others.

The company says each device retails between Euros 12-15 or an average of Dh50-Dh60 and is only utilised by specific operators to avoid misuse.

“Think of it as the perfect evening out; dine at your favourite restaurant and as order your meal from the menu, you can simultaneously order the taxi with your waiter,” said the an executive with the company.

“Similarly, when you are on a night out on the town, you can either wait around for a taxi on the road in the heat, which may or may not arrive immediately, or you ask the staff at the venue to push a button for your taxi to arrive minus the hassle.”

The devices can further be catered to add specific requirements of the user – be it a request for the RTA’s Pink Taxis for women travelling alone at night, or perhaps a seven-seater vehicle for larger groups or those requiring extra trunk space.

The device also provides live updates on the taxi order and sends out an alert when it has arrived at the venue.

Currently, Taxi Butlers can be found in 35 countries and high profile venues, including celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s London restaurant, Fifteen.

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