Abu Dhabi, 2 March 2015: The Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars came in 1st place in the Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council. Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport participation is open to various organizations operating within the country's transport sector. The Centre participated in the Environmental Protection Category by showcasing its initiative and practice in reducing carbon emissions produced by taxis in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and providing environmentally friendly taxis.

The initiative launched by the Centre adopts a number of policies and practices aimed at converting 25% of taxis to run on compressed natural gas, 220 of luxury vehicles (airport taxis) to run on green diesel, and 16 taxis to run on electricity. The initiative was launched in cooperation with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and through the combined efforts of the taxi companies and the Department of Transport. 

Commenting on the win, Mohamed Darwish Al Qamzi, General Manager of the Centre, said: "It gives us great pleasure to receive this award especially with sustainability being one of our major objectives directly linked to the Centre's strategic plan, and in line with the government directive to improve air quality in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Yet the greatest reward is the cooperation and combined efforts exerted by all the parties concerned to provide highest standard of transport services while preserving the environment. In this regard, I would like to extend our thanks to our partners in this initiative starting with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the taxi companies, and last but not least, the Department of Transport. We look forward to further cooperation in what serves the common good of our country."

The Centre is considered to be the first governmental entity in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to implement such environmental initiative in an expansive and sustainable manner since 2010. It successfully completed the project to convert 25% of taxis (1800 taxis) to run on natural gas in time and by the end of 2011. It is worth mentioning that Key Performance Indicators for natural gas have been included in the taxi operator service agreements to be measured on a quarterly basis.

The Centre's initiative also called for activating drivers' role with the introduction of a monthly prize for the three best drivers who fuel their vehicles with natural gas. As a result of these efforts, the operational efficiency percentages (mileage) have significantly increased during 2014. The initiative's success in achieving its set goals is primarily evident in the overall increase in the use of natural gas in taxis from (110,065) in 2011 to approximately (3,286,614) in 2012, which amounts to an increase of almost 3000%. Not only did the use of natural gas as an alternative to regular fuel in taxis have a positive impact on health and environment, but it proved to be more economically efficient too; saving up to 25% from the cost of fuel.

Diagram showing mileage from natural gas to total mileage ratio

Total mileage

Total mileage from natural gas


Diagram showing fuel cost savings per 1 Kilometre - AED

Fuel cost savings per 1 Kilometre - AED

Natural gas fuel cost savings per 1 Kilometre - AED

The Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars was established pursuant to Law No. ‎‎(19/2006) issued by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu ‎Dhabi.‎

The Centre aims to develop the taxi transport sector to the highest international levels of quality. The Centre increases the taxi transport reliability as comfortable and safe transport through the ‎development of Laws, regulations and governing principles, and through studying the changes in ‎demand of taxi service.‎

The Centre has its own financial and administrative independence as well as full legal ‎capacity to manage taxi transport sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.‎ 

For more information, please contact:
Ahmad Dajani
Viola Public Relations
Mobile: 050 382 1865
E-mail: ahmad.dajani@viola.ae 

Mohamed Fawaz Hakim
Sr. Coordinator - Communication
Phone: 02 417 3880
E-mail: mohamed.hakim@transad.ae

© Press Release 2015