Do we care that cab fare is going up?
Is the service by cabbies worth the price?
This is the podcast of the show.
Here is where we went to get started.
Taxi base fares are going up as of December 1st!
All day we have been talking about the rate hike for a cab, now it is your turn to chime in! Do you have an opinion?
Higher fares = better service as the cabbies will be happier?
I know there are cab drivers listening tell us your thoughts?
How has your cab experience been?
-able to get a cab on peak weekend hours?
-ever have a change discrepancy?
-ever been overcharged on the base fare?
The Roads and Transport Authority is raising taxi flag-fall rates to Dh5 from Dh3 next month.
And for pre-booked taxis the rate will rise to Dh8 from Dh6 during normal hours, and to Dh12 from Dh10 in peak hours.
The rates were decided on after studies of some of the world’s most developed cities, said Dr Yousef Al Ali, head of the RTA’s Public Transport Agency.
“It is worth mentioning that the taxi fare applicable in Dubai is the cheapest among some of the world’s most developed cities, such as London, New York, Amsterdam, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo and other metropolises,” Dr Al Ali said.
He said that all taxi meters would be upgraded with the new rates within three weeks, starting from December 1.
The RTA said it regarded cab drivers as ambassadors for Dubai, and that the fee increases would boost their incomes and provide them with more motivation to improve services.
“The step is intended to overcome challenges that cabbies face during daily operations, stamp out all problems impeding the delivery of better services to the public and taxi users, and implement the best practices of the industry,” Dr Al Ali said.
The authority said it would ensure as many taxis were on the road as possible, and that service would be prompt, especially in rush hour.
It said it wanted to promote the “comfort, fun and privacy” of taxis, while meeting the growing demand for them.
Peak hours from Saturday to Wednesday are from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm, and on Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm to 12am.
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/dubai-taxi-fares-revised-1.1417232
Dubai: The flag down rates of taxis in Dubai will increase from Dh3 to Dh5 from December 1, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced.
RTA has also revised the basic charges for booking taxis, with non-peak hour bookings costing Dh8, up from Dh6, and peak hour bookings will cost Dh12, up from Dh10.
Dr Yousuf Ali, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, said that the rates are being revised to improve the services and will be applicable to all taxi franchises in Dubai.
“The modification of flag down rates was intended to leverage the service on offer to the public by deploying as many taxis as possible and ensuring that the service reaches customers in a timely manner, especially during morning and evening peak hours,” said Al Ali.
However, he said the taxi meter tariff has not been changed.
“The meters will continue to run at the same rate, which is Dh1.71 per kilometre, so the revision will not have any measure impact on commuters,” he added.
From Saturday to Wednesday the peak hours are set from 7am to 10am, and 4pm to 8pm.
On Thursdays and Fridays the evening peak hours are set from 4pm to 12 midnight.
As part of the taxi service upgrade, he said, the taxi fleet is being integrated with the Nol network and cash-less travel on taxis will be possible soon.
“Payment of taxi fares through Nol and credit card is already live on airport taxis, while a significant number of regular taxis have also been upgraded,” he said.
He added that taxi meters are being upgraded gradually and by mid-2015 commuters will have an option of paying through Nol and credit cards on all taxis.
The revision of taxis fares comes close on the heels of changes to public transport fares as well as restructuring of the Nol packages, which became active from November 11 when the Dubai Tram was launched.
“This decision is taken after the RTA commissioned a number of field studies and surveys and benchmarking with a number of the world’s most developed cities, including taxis transport sector. The step is intended to overcome challenges that cabbies face during daily operations, stamp out all problems impeding the delivery of better services to the public and taxi users, and implement the best practices of the industry,” added Al Ali.
He pointed out that taxi fares in Dubai are the cheapest when compared to other major cities in the world such as London, New York, Amsterdam, Paris, Singapore and Tokyo.
Regular taxi
Basic fare - Dh5
Ordered taxi
Basic fare - Dh8 (non-peak hours)
Dh12 (peak hours)
Here is what we got vis the SMS.
If the extra 2dhs is spent on training the taxi drivers to use gps then it will definitely be worth it! Paul
Everything
only goes up in Dubai. Hopefully someday someone will also ensure
salaries go up equally so that the "common"man can afford to stay with
his family in Dubai - john mathew
Hi
good evening,already metro and bus fees are increased and now its
taxi,there is no question rta taxi service is best in the region hmmmm
rta saying they increase to improve quality and its just a reason for a
increase now lets allocate little for for metro or bus ... to avoid
taxis ,or what shall we do,take my words ,but people used to pay that
more money and they will forget and forced to use the service under some
conditions ...because this is monopoly and unfortunatley you cannot
avoid a rta taxi from your feet sometimes ,siva from karama
Maha, before the service wasn't good but now I am happy
It's
TWO dirhams. Why is this even being discussed at length? Producers have
thrown you under the bu...no, taxi tonight, James! Dan.
What does it mean for an individual driver? Very little for them more for the RTA. Rashid
Im a cab driver since 5 yrs,every january they increase target so this is the idea to increase the target. (raj)
Open the line for taxi drivers to tell their story
I think the money would be going to the tram :p
Hi James, thanks for a good Topic. I wanted to comment:
I
am ready to pay a higher price if all Taxi drivers will have a good
english. Some times it is a big challenge to explain to driver location
or arrival destination.
Thanks, Rustam
Hi James, thanks for a good Topic. I wanted to comment:
I
am ready to pay a higher price if all Taxi drivers will have a good
english. Some times it is a big challenge to explain to driver location
or arrival destination.
Thanks, Rustam
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