Dubai Taxi Adds New Look To Hatta Taxi, Improves Service

The Dubai Taxi Corporation, Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), has unveiled a face-lifting process of Hatta Taxi marked by an improved service level to ensure the continuous availability of the service for passengers traveling within Hatta city & the neighbourhood, or to Dubai and other Emirates.

“In the context of its ongoing endeavours to offer effective services and reaching out to customers all over Dubai Emirate, H.E. the Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA has endorsed measures taken to revamp Hatta Taxi service under a new format whereby the service will be offered to customers residing in Hatta city and the neighbourhood at the normal meter fare applicable to taxis operated under the commission system. The service will be available at certain designated locations in Hatta starting off the public bus stop at Hatta city, or available on demand from Hatta to Dubai Emirate and vice versa, provided that taxicabs must return to Hatta city directly after dropping off their customers to the intended destinations in order to ensure the availability of cabs for offering their service within Hatta district,” said Yousef Al Ali, Director of DTC Fleet Operations Dep’t.

“This service has been revised to be continuously available at Hatta city charged on the meter system during two shifts every day. The fare of the taxi service requested through the Booking & Despatch Center has been revised such that the meter opening charge will be 6 dirham from 06:00 am to 10:00 pm, and 7 dirham from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, likewise other cabs of the DTC fleet. Meter opening fare for roadside passengers will be 3 dirham in the morning and 3.5 dirham in the evening period,” continued Al Ali.

He further added: “Like all other taxicabs, Hatta Taxi service will be subjected to the following conditions: minimum taxi fare is 10 dirham, exemption from Salik tariff, the journey is considered free in case the meter is not operated, and 20 dirham are added to the fare in case of going to or passing through the Emirate of Sharjah or other Northern Emirates.

“Hatta Taxi service had been launched in Hatta city in 2009 as part of the DTC’s attention to upgrade Hatta transportation system, meet various community requirements, and provide new safe & smooth transport modes to the residents and tourists visiting the city’s tourist landmarks, and historic & archaeological sites. Launching the new service came as a result of studies which concluded that the Hatta District needed taxi service that saves time and effort of users and delivers them to their intended destinations safely & smoothly in keeping with the vision of the RTA.

“Drivers are subjected to training sessions at Drivers Training and Qualification Center, Fleet Drivers Affairs Dep’t on how to provide quality services to customers, and how to talk, communicate and enlighten them on the methods of dealing with passengers in a civilized & courteous manner. This will ensure the success of the new excellent service, heighten the awareness of the security and safety means, and help explain driving principles and systems in order to ensure that drivers are familiar with the traffic laws & regulations, and the internal quality controls.

Dubai Taxi Kicks Off “Safe Driving” Initiative In Coop With Al Dobowi Tires Co.

The Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), in cooperation with Al Dobowi Tires Company, has recently launched “Safe Driving Road Safety Campaign” initiative targeting all DTC cabdrivers. The initiative, which was unleashed at the Drivers & Training & Qualification Center, aims at highlighting the importance of vehicle safety through maintaining tries safety as a measure to safeguard against road risks and surprises.

“In coordination with Al Dobowi Tires Co., DTC is rolling on this initiative through a series of educative lectures on safety in general and vehicle & tire safety in particular. Al Dobowi is a key supplier of tires to the DTC as per the contract concluded last month for the supply of Korean made Hankook tires compatible with the GCC specifications to the DTC for a period of two years,” said Ammar bin Tamim, Director of DTC’s Fleet Drivers Affairs.

“This initiative aims at introducing the concept of safety on roads, raising the awareness of drivers towards safe maintenance of their vehicle tires all times through regular checks and inspection of air pressure. Tires have a considerable impact on reducing accidents and curbing frequent operational problems to cabs of the DTC fleet which comprise 3504 vehicles operated by more than 7500 drivers 24 hours a day through shifts system,” he continued.

Ammar highlighted the crucial role played by tires in maintaining the vehicle’s safety in general and the driver & passengers’ safety in particular, and stressed the need to select proper tires and attend to their regular maintenance. “The DTC seeks to apply all safety & security features to its services and vehicles so as to achieve the best results and contribute to the realization of the vision of the RTA and DTC of providing Safe & Smooth Transport for All,” he continued.

“During these courses live demonstrations were made for sound and defective tires where drivers have been shown physical models of these tires such that they will closely see and grasp how to apply their acquired knowledge during their daily works as cabdrivers. Such campaigns & training courses need to be continued as the DTC is keen on qualifying and grooming drivers fully for their jobs considering them as ambassadors of the RTA and a true image depicting clearly the approach of the DTC and RTA as well,” added bin Tamim.

The Director of DTC’s Fleet Drivers Affairs said: “All new and old drivers have been subjected to various, intensive and specialized training courses based on top class global standards with a view to improving their performance and the level of services rendered to passengers and customers spanning all spectrums of the community. DTC will hold a number of educative programs and practical demonstration sessions about the best traffic safety practices during driving so as to enhance the safety of drivers, passengers and road users at large. The courses, which will be run in three languages (Arabic, English & Urdu) are held in conjunction with several specialized bodies including Dubai Police, Traffic Department of RTA Traffic & Roads Agency, and Franchise & Enforcement Department of RTA public Transport Agency,” said bin Tamim in a closing remark.