Pre-booked cab fares set to rise during peak hours
The new rates will be applicable to all taxis in Dubai, official says
- Image Credit: Atiq-Ur Rehman/Gulf News
- The fare revision is likely to minimise the number of complaints reported against taxi drivers over their refusal to pick up passengers, especially during peak hours.
Dubai: Pre-booked taxi fares during peak hours will rise in Dubai from April 15, as the flag-down rate will go up from Dh6 to Dh10, officials announced yesterday.
According to the Public Transport Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) the increased flag-down rate — which is the fare shown on the taxi meter at the start of the journey — is only applicable during peak hours.
From Saturday to Wednesday, the flag-down rate will be Dh10 on pre-booked cabs from 7am to 10am and from 4pm to 8pm. On Thursdays, Fridays and public holidays such as Eid, and during official events, the revised fare will be applicable from 4 pm to 12 midnight.
The fare revision is likely to minimise the number of complaints reported against taxi drivers over their refusal to pick up passengers, especially during peak hours.
Eisa Abdul Rahman Al Dossary, CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency, said only 5 per cent of taxi users who pre-book their rides will be affected by the increase.
The new fares are in line with RTA's efforts to improve taxi services, he said.
"The revised flag-down rate aims to provide the highest level of service to the public by deploying as many cabs as possible, and ensuring their timely arrival to customers, especially during morning and evening peak hours," he said.
"Normal fare will apply during other times, as the hike will only apply to pre-booked taxis which accounts only for 5 per cent of total taxi users," he explained.
The fare revision is applicable to all taxis in the city, and will help increase the income of drivers, he said.
"On the other hand, the decision is set to minimise the reluctance of taxi drivers to pick up passengers, and accordingly achieve higher public satisfaction rating, and cater to the growing demand for taxi service," Al Dossary added.
The increase is a significant one, particularly for those who rely on taxis regularly, Kamaljit Kaur, a resident, said.
"The government should actually keep the fares of all modes of public transportation at the lowest so that people are not encouraged to buy or use their own vehicles," Kaur said.
Taxi drivers sometimes refuse to take passengers, Gokul Cherian said.
Malu, a frequent cab user, said since the hike is only applicable for pre-booked cabs the new fare won't be a burden for most.
Another resident, Andrew Hare, also welcomed the decision, saying that taxi drivers deserve the extra income for their hard work.
Dubai
Day (6am - 10pm) Dh3; Night (10pm - 6am) Dh3.5
Pre-booking rates from April 15
Dh6 during non-peak hours; Dh10 during peak hours (Sat -Wed- 7am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm. Thu, Fri, public holidays, official events - 4pm - 12am); Meter fare per kilometre - Dh1.6; Minimum fare - Dh10
Abu Dhabi (silver cabs)
(New fares effective from May 1)
Day (6am -10pm) - Dh3.5; Night (10pm - 6am) - Dh4; Meter fare per kilometre - Dh1.6; Minimum charge Dh10 after 10pm; Booking fares - Dh3 (during day), Dh4 (at night)
Sharjah
Day (6am -10.59pm) - Dh3; Night (11pm - 5.59am) - Dh4; Meter fare per kilometre - Dh1.5; Booking fare - Dh5; Minimum fare - Dh10
According to the Public Transport Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) the increased flag-down rate — which is the fare shown on the taxi meter at the start of the journey — is only applicable during peak hours.
From Saturday to Wednesday, the flag-down rate will be Dh10 on pre-booked cabs from 7am to 10am and from 4pm to 8pm. On Thursdays, Fridays and public holidays such as Eid, and during official events, the revised fare will be applicable from 4 pm to 12 midnight.
The fare revision is likely to minimise the number of complaints reported against taxi drivers over their refusal to pick up passengers, especially during peak hours.
Eisa Abdul Rahman Al Dossary, CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency, said only 5 per cent of taxi users who pre-book their rides will be affected by the increase.
The new fares are in line with RTA's efforts to improve taxi services, he said.
"The revised flag-down rate aims to provide the highest level of service to the public by deploying as many cabs as possible, and ensuring their timely arrival to customers, especially during morning and evening peak hours," he said.
"Normal fare will apply during other times, as the hike will only apply to pre-booked taxis which accounts only for 5 per cent of total taxi users," he explained.
The fare revision is applicable to all taxis in the city, and will help increase the income of drivers, he said.
"On the other hand, the decision is set to minimise the reluctance of taxi drivers to pick up passengers, and accordingly achieve higher public satisfaction rating, and cater to the growing demand for taxi service," Al Dossary added.
The increase is a significant one, particularly for those who rely on taxis regularly, Kamaljit Kaur, a resident, said.
"The government should actually keep the fares of all modes of public transportation at the lowest so that people are not encouraged to buy or use their own vehicles," Kaur said.
Taxi drivers sometimes refuse to take passengers, Gokul Cherian said.
Malu, a frequent cab user, said since the hike is only applicable for pre-booked cabs the new fare won't be a burden for most.
Another resident, Andrew Hare, also welcomed the decision, saying that taxi drivers deserve the extra income for their hard work.
New fares
Dubai
Day (6am - 10pm) Dh3; Night (10pm - 6am) Dh3.5
Pre-booking rates from April 15
Dh6 during non-peak hours; Dh10 during peak hours (Sat -Wed- 7am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm. Thu, Fri, public holidays, official events - 4pm - 12am); Meter fare per kilometre - Dh1.6; Minimum fare - Dh10
Abu Dhabi (silver cabs)
(New fares effective from May 1)
Day (6am -10pm) - Dh3.5; Night (10pm - 6am) - Dh4; Meter fare per kilometre - Dh1.6; Minimum charge Dh10 after 10pm; Booking fares - Dh3 (during day), Dh4 (at night)
Sharjah
Day (6am -10.59pm) - Dh3; Night (11pm - 5.59am) - Dh4; Meter fare per kilometre - Dh1.5; Booking fare - Dh5; Minimum fare - Dh10
People can pre-booked the taxi service and it has fare for that service and it is good service for the people who want to get taxi on time.
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