Uber wants a ticket to ride in ‘positive’ talks about return to Abu Dhabi
Uber raised hopes that its taxis could return to the streets of Abu Dhabi after the company revealed it had “positive conversations” with transport chiefs.
The ride-hailing service said it still wanted to resume operations in the emirate, after Careem, a rival company, developed closer ties to the government by agreeing to a deal under which it would offer new services in Abu Dhabi.
Uber and Careem suspended their operations in 2016 after the authorities cracked down on the companies, amid concerns about their pricing structures.
Careem has since returned to Abu Dhabi. Uber continues to operate in Dubai.
In June this year, Uber appeared to downplay the chances of a comeback, describing prohibitive pricing rules, which mean its taxis have to be 30 per cent more expensive than standard taxis.
But in an update after talks with the Abu Dhabi transport authorities, a spokesman for Uber struck a more upbeat tone.
“We are in positive conversations with TransAd. Our ultimate goal is to resume operations with an affordable service,” the spokesman told The National.
Meanwhile, more details have come to light about Careem’s expansion in Abu Dhabi.
It was revealed last week that Careem would offer new services to tourists, provide new water taxis to the emirate’s islands and use its technology and cars to help the government ease traffic congestion. The new services, to be available to residents as well as tourists, are expected to be introduced early next year.
In future, customers could hail Abu Dhabi taxis using the Careem app. Since its launch in Dubai in 2012, Careem has become a rival to Uber in the Middle East and Africa. The company has highlighted its record of expanding into challenging areas such as Sudan, Iraq and Palestine.
Careem said that this expansion had boosted these countries’ economies and generated much-needed jobs.
It said that over the past year it had expanded into these countries, despite the challenges there, because it had a “different set of criteria for measuring impact” that did not solely take into account short-term profits.
It said it wanted to create opportunities in the Middle East and Africa, despite practical difficulties such as patchy 3G coverage and internet connectivity, regular military checkpoints and the poor quality of some roads.
The expansions had allowed Careem to create flexible jobs in areas of high unemployment and boost ailing economies that needed the most help, the company said.
Ibrahim Manna, Careem’s managing director for emerging markets, said the transport company is keen to move into new markets.
“In complex markets, there is so much untapped potential and talent just waiting to be given an opportunity to exceed expectations,” Mr Manna said.
“For us, being at the entry point of development in these countries is a fulfilling and rewarding experience on all levels, allowing us to embrace these communities and tap into their potential in a way that has a wide-reaching, long-term impact.”
Careem operates in 100 cities across 14 countries.