Uber drivers are making their return to the streets of Abu Dhabi, after more than two years out of the market, and will allow Emiratis to drive their own cars for the first time.

As of Monday (November 19th), Uber app users are once again able to summon a driver via their smartphones, and they could soon expect an Emirati driver in their own car arriving to pick them up.

Uber has launched a recruitment drive for Emirati nationals, although the first drivers are yet to hit the roads in the capital.

In a press release issued yesterday, (Monday), Mohammed Darwish Al Qamzi, General Manager of Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), said the decision to allow Emiratis to drive for the service would encourage Emiratization by providing flexible economic opportunities to nationals who want to drive for the Uber app on a full-time or part-time basis using their own cars.

The decision brings the service more in line with Uber’s worldwide model, in which drivers use their own cars, often in their spare time, and are known to use the service to boost income from another job.

The Emirati driver option will be available once recruitment and training has taken place, and will allow a more affordable option to passengers in Abu Dhabi. In the meantime, the Uber Select option, which provides a limo service of drivers using leased cars, which costs around 30 percent above the cost of an Abu Dhabi taxi, is available in the emirate.

In response to emailed questions, Anthony Khoury, regional manager, Uber Middle East, said: “Over the past six months, Uber has had positive ongoing conversations with the ITC, with our ultimate goal to resume operations in a positive regulatory environment to keep Abu Dhabi moving. This is a pivotal moment for Uber in the UAE and one which we are incredibly proud of.

“Previous regulations on pricing made it difficult to bring back an affordable and reliable service which Uber is known for. After almost two years of working continuously with the local regulator to reach a situation that aligns to their and UAE’s goals in urban mobility and allows us to bring a reliable and affordable service to the emirate, we are excited to have signed an agreement to bring back Uber services to Abu Dhabi as of Monday November the 19th 2018.”

The Uber ride hailing app, which is in 60 countries worldwide, had been suspended in Abu Dhabi in August 2016.

“Abu Dhabi is a significant market for Uber and we’re delighted to serve as catalysts for economic growth, and for Emiratis to be able to drive on the Uber app using their private vehicles,” Khoury said in the press release.

“This partnership allows us to further support the government’s efforts in positioning Abu Dhabi as a city that has undertaken a pioneering role in improving the quality of life through urban mobility and smart initiatives.

“With the re-launch of our services in the emirate, and the launch of Uber Eats there earlier this year, we can cater to local demand and remain committed to our goal of providing efficient and innovative solution to the communities we operate in.”

Khoury said he could not comment on projected market share for Uber in Abu Dhabi, but said: “We have been listening to customers who have been asking us to return to the capital - Abu Dhabi residents in particular - and as such we are hopeful to regain a strong foothold in the capital as before.”

Earlier this year, Uber’s rival ride sharing app Careem announced that it was recruiting 1,000 women to drive for its service across the country.

Careem resumed its own Abu Dhabi service after a brief suspension in August 2016.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the kingdom long-term sovereign wealth investment arm, invested $3.5 billion in Uber in 2016. A panelist at the recent Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh last month speculated that the value of PIF’s share could double if the San Francisco-based ride-hailing firm goes ahead with an initial public offering next year, according to a report by Arab News.

Further reading:
• Careem and TransAD launch new programme to provide new income opportunity for Emirati workforce in Abu Dhabi
• Careem planning to spend $150mln to launch food delivery business - sources
• Uber resumes services in Abu Dhabi statement
• INTERVIEW: UAE's Careem signs up nearly 1,000 Saudi females to be drivers - co-founder
• Uber in talks to buy Dubai ride-hailing rival Careem
• Saudi Arabia's PIF could see big profit on Uber stake,  FII forum hears 

(Reporting by Imogen Lillywhite; Editing by Shane McGinley)
(shane.mcginley@refinitiv.com)

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