New rules to govern app-based taxi services in Dubai

Monday, Apr 25, 2016

Dubai: E-hail private taxi-style services such as Uber and Careem will be able to apply for a licence to operate in Dubai in three months, a senior official said on Monday.

Under a new licensing scheme, e-hail companies, which provide an app for online booking and paying for a ride, will be regulated and allowed to operate under the new rules, said Adel Shakeri, director, Transportation Systems Department, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

His comments came on the sidelines of the three-day Mena Transport Congress and Exhibition 2016 in Dubai, which started on Monday.

Under current rules, such companies can only operate “with [an agreement with] a licensed limo company using licensed drivers”, Shakeri said. His comments followed a presentation weighing the pros and cons of e-hail services.

Uber is perhaps the most famous example of such companies and possibly the biggest player in the market for private pick-ups. However, it has also been occasionally criticised by competitors and officials in some countries for operating in what they describe as a grey market. “We’re passionate about making your city better. That’s why we partner with hundreds of licensed limousine drivers to keep Dubai moving,” Uber says on the Dubai page of its website (www.uber.com/cities/dubai/)

Shakeri said some countries have totally banned e-hail services at one extreme while others have allowed them to operate without a regulatory framework at the other extreme.

Responding to a question from the audience about Dubai’s position regarding Uber and similar services, Shakeri said: “In Dubai, we have improved the law and have a new law coming for e-hail. We are in between [the two extremes] so we’ll have such companies apply to operate and follow the rules.”

He agreed with the view that “most cities face challenges” regarding e-hail services, with the perception that “anyone can become a driver” for such companies leading to security and safety concerns.

However, a regulatory framework in Dubai will ensure that all concerns of passengers and stakeholders are addressed adequately, Shakeri added. Speaking to Gulf News after the presentation, he also clarified that private limo services are not allowed to use the bus and taxi-only lanes in Dubai. Only public transport buses and licensed taxi companies are allowed to use such lanes, he added.

1,500 taxis to have CCTV cameras

Around 1,500 taxis will be equipped with CCTV cameras this year, enabling the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to monitor the behaviour of taxi drivers better, a senior RTA official revealed.

The smart cameras, equipped with 3D and face recognition technologies, will be connected to the Operation Command Centre (OCC) of RTA’s Public Transport Agency.

“We completed the pilot phase of the project and we are satisfied with the result. The project has been approved by the RTA board and the implementation will begin this year, with 1,500 taxis operated by Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) to be equipped with the CCTV cameras,” said Yousuf Al Ali, CEO of DTC, a subsidiary of RTA.

According to Al Ali, each taxi will have three cameras, two outside the vehicles — one on the rear of the vehicle and one in front — while one camera will be installed inside.

“The camera inside the taxi will only focus on the driver and will not show passengers at all. A sign inside the taxi will clearly inform passengers that CCTV is under operation. The camera will detect driver’s behaviour and emotions and the OCC will be able to detect if there is any unusual behaviour. The footage will also be used in investigation in case there is an accident or any dispute,” said Al Ali

The external cameras that can rotate 360 degrees are also equipped with sensors to detect tailgating on the part of the taxi driver or other motorists.

By Faisal Masudi Staff Reporter