DUBAI, 9 October 2007 — The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) have unveiled a comprehensive plan to revamp Dubai taxi system.
The plan includes linking franchise companies with booking & distribution center, switching drivers working hours from 24 hours to 12 hours, expanding taxi fleet at Dubai International Airport, and establishing taxi stations at 38 locations in the emirate, RTA said in a statement yesterday.
Mattar Al-Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of the RTA, pointed out that progress rate in linking of franchise companies with booking & distribution center project over satellites reached 85 percent, where 2,860 devices, out of the planned 3,303 devices, have been installed. The system aims at maintaining effective communication between booking & distribution unit and the taxi driver.
He added that temporary drivers’ quarters will be hired to accommodate the increasing numbers of drivers, noting that there are currently about 1,000 drivers in the waiting list of applicants for accommodation in the existing residential complex which has a total capacity of accommodating 2,500 drivers. He stated that RTA will construct a new drivers’ quarters at Muhaisna area, as well as a new station and drivers’ quarters at Al-Qoz area to accommodate all taxi drivers, and ensure smooth reporting to work places, saving time and effort.
“RTA has embarked on switching drivers working hours system from 24 hours to 12 hours to enable increasing the number of working vehicles, and have them in operation for as much as possible 24 hours a day to cover customer requirements of taxis throughout the emirate of Dubai. So far 840 vehicles, out of 1000 vehicles designated to work on 12 hours working system in 2007, have been switched while 1500 other vehicles, out of 2028 vehicles specified for this end, will be switched to the new working hours system by the end of 2008” Al-Tayer said.
He further said the number of vehicles deployed at Dubai International Airport section will rise to 150 vehicles to serve arriving passengers, and meet airport’s requirements of taxi vehicles in the near future, particularly after commissioning Terminal 3. At the initial stage RTA will purchase 100 deluxe vehicles epitomized by high safety, security, convenience and luxury standards, in keeping with RTA Strategic Plan that aims at providing highest levels of service to meet the requirements of various community segments. The new vehicles will be fitted with the highest technologies such as DVDs, and GPS Navigation system to ensure commuting customers to the intended destinations by taking the most appropriate roads & routes.
Al-Tayer said in view of the increasing demand for taxis in the morning periods, working hours system applicable to 830 vehicles was reset such that they will be on duty as 6 a.m. up to 10.00 am. “Such vehicles will be tracked on daily basis to ensure their commitment to work during this time frame.” He stated that the total number of passengers commuted by taxis during the period from January up to the end of last September was 34,649,000 passengers commuted via 17,324,000 trips. The number of female taxi users during the same period was 117,506 passengers, served in 58,753 trips.
The taxi stations at 38 locations, each has a capacity of 5 to 30 parking spaces, and distributed in key areas, such as shopping malls and large residential/tourist complexes. “This project is capable of slashing the waiting time for taxi customers and ensuring the arrival of the requested vehicle at the shortest possible time. Moreover, it minimizes the redundant roaming of taxis at roads, consequently contributing to easing traffic congestion.”
