The recent hike in Sharjah taxi fares, that now start at Dh10, has come in for severe flak from commuters who feel they are being fleeced with no proper public transport alternative.

The new fares that came into force on October 1 is widely criticised by commuters, many of whom were unaware of the hike until they actually found the fare meter ticking from Dh10.

Besides hiking the minimum fare, Sharjah Transport Corporation (STC) upwardly revised meter fares to Dh1 for 620 metres.  This was Dh1 for every 620 metres, revised from 800 metres in February.

Commuters said that the increased expenditure would eat into their earnings and adversely affect their budgets.

Samir Aladdin accused Sharjah Transport Corporation for ignoring the condition of taxi users who are already burdened with rising cost of living.

Sami Abdul Rahman who lives in the Al Khan area said the fare hike will negatively impact the low-income group that is left with no proper options.

With no car, his family is entirely dependent on taxis to commute to work and drop children at their school. Making at least six trips a day, he says the transport bill is going to mount drastically with no rise in income.

Um Ali, a woman who lives in Al Hazana said she was not even aware of the hike.

However, Khalid Al Khayal, Director of Franchise and Licensing at STC said implementation of the revised fare followed an awareness campaign with posters informing commuters.

Every taxi had a poster pasted for occupants of the front and rear seats.

This was besides a campaign on local TV stations and newspapers, he said.

He urged people to communicate through the STC hotline (700067000) to leave their suggestions.