Sheikh Mohammed orders Dh33m bonus for owners of taxi plates in Dubai
▶ The sum will be split equally among 6,659 owners, meaning they will each receive Dh500 as well as their leasing fees from RTA
Thousands of Emirati taxi owners in Dubai will receive an additional bonus this year, courtesy of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Yesterday, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai ordered a bonus worth a total of Dh33.3m to the owners of taxi plates in the emirate.
The recipients were awarded the plates many years ago and rent them out to drivers.
After the Roads and Transport Authority was formed in 2005 and absorbed the taxi franchise, the owners began leasing their plates to the RTA for Dh1,000 a month.
It is unclear if the rate has since been adjusted but the fees are a fixed source of income for many families.
The RTA leases the plates to six taxi companies, including Dubai Taxi Corporation, for a fixed monthly sum. In 2012, the rate was Dh3,600 a plate a month.
The payment covers all fees for meters and work assignments.
Sheikh Mohammed’s award will be distributed among about 6,659 plate owners, meaning they will each receive a further Dh500.
The authority will begin distributing the 2017 bonus to the entitled recipients, over and above their annual financial dues from this week.
Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the authority, thanked Sheikh Mohammed and said that the bonus would help to enhance the quality of life for the owners of the taxi plates and their families.
“This bonus is one of Sheikh Mohammed’s several other generous gestures,” Mr Al Tayer said.
“It lines up with his efforts during the Year of Zayed and marking the close approach of the Holy Month of Ramadan.”
Sheikh Mohammed has a history of helping taxi owners. In 2012, he ordered that Dh26.39m be shared among 6,597 of them in the emirate.