Hail a cab in Dubai using an app soon

Uber and Careem drivers will need separate licence

App-based taxi services or e-hail companies will be allowed to operate in Dubai in next 3 months.

dubai — Mobile application taxi services or e-hail companies, like Uber and Careem, will be allowed to operate in Dubai in the next three months, according to a senior official.

All e-hail companies, which provide an app for online booking and payment for the ride, will be regulated and allowed to operate under a new set of rules. E-hail companies will fall under the gamut of licensed limo companies, said Adel Shakeri, director, Transportation Systems Department, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

During the UITP Mena Transport Congress and Exhibition in Dubai, Shakeri specified that drivers of e-hail companies must procure separate licences and undergo specialist training that will assure the safety of passengers using these taxis.

“We are allowing them to work within the framework of limousine companies, with a licence from the authority. E-hail drivers cannot work with regular licences and must procure special licences for operations as safety is high priority of us,” he said.

Shakeri explained that all e-hail companies will be part of the new frameworks and regulation. “We are opening the market for other

E-hail drivers cannot work with regular licences and must procure special licences as safety is high priority of us.”

Adel Shakeri, director, Transportation Systems Department,RTA

companies to come and work in Dubai as well,” he added. Shakeri explained that the main reason for making regulations for e-hail companies is to make transportation easier for tourists. “In many cases, tourists know only this application to hail taxis and we want that facility to be made available to them,” he said.

Several e-hail companies have been showing interest to invest in Dubai and this is a way to streamline operations and ensure safety for all passengers.