Al Tayer: Taxi Fleet at Dubai Airport Increased, 38 Taxi Stations Established
Roads & Transport Authority: H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), unveiled a comprehensive plan drawn up by the RTA to revamp Dubai Taxi.
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.
"The plan envisages upgrading the services rendered by Dubai Taxi Agency, explores the possibility of launching new premium service to customers through providing all sorts of vehicles to serve all sectors of the community, and explores new markets for the Agency to invest its resources" Al Tayer said. He pointed out that progress rate in Linking of Franchise Companies with Booking & Distribution Center Project over Satellites reached 85%; where 2860 devices, out of the planned 3303 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, particularly noting that there are currently about 1000 drivers in the waiting list of applicants for accommodation in the existing residential complex; which has a total capacity of accommodating 2500 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 & 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" commented Al Tayer.
He stated that 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 which 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 elaborated that 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 of 06.00 am 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.
H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, spoke about the project of Constructing of Taxi Stations at 38 locations, each has a capacity of 5 to 30 parking spaces, and distributed at a number of key areas in the emirate, 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.
"RTA has finalized designing of the website and launching of SMS system enabling clients to book taxis through either way. Such service will add to our services further efficiency, speed, excellence and ability to meet requirements of the biggest number of clientele among residents, visitors & tourists" Al Tayer stated. He added that through launching this service, RTA aims at ensuring the continuity of the policy of providing taxis to clients such as residents, visitors & tourists at the shortest possible time; a matter which will contribute to upgrading this vital service and bring it in line with the profile of Dubai as a global commercial & economic hub.
He further stated that booking service online or by an SMS could be summarized in requesting the service at predefined locations at various roads and zones in Dubai. Signs marked with location numbers are erected at those locations and the customer has to send an SMS to Booking & Distribution Center at Dubai Taxi, quoting the Location Number and his/ her Telephone Number. The Booking Number will automatically be transmitted to the customer confirming that the nearest taxi will be dispatched to him /her at the specified location. Al Tayer added that such service is part and parcel of the numerous services rendered by Dubai Taxi such as the automatic booking system, known as Interactive Voice Response (IVR) used by large numbers of permanent customers, through prior saving of their location data in the computer system of Booking & Distribution Center. Once they contact Booking & Distribution Center, their applications will be automatically processed and the nearest taxi will be directed to their residential address saved in the computer system of Booking & Distribution Center.
-Ends-
© Press Release 2007
