Careem gets green light for Abu Dhabi expansion
Ride-hailing app Careem will expand its services in Abu Dhabi after striking a deal with tourism bosses.
The company will offer tours around Abu Dhabi, bring in water taxis to take customers to its islands and provide more cars and intelligence to help ease congestion at busy times.
It will also promote high-profile events in the city and share technology and information with the Department of Culture and Tourism, under a preliminary agreement signed by the parties.
The partnership, which is likely to mean more Careem cars on Abu Dhabi’s roads, will be considered significant because app-based taxi services such as Uber face restrictions in the emirate.
Uber and Careem suspended services in August 2016, when some of their drivers were detained because of concerns over pricing structures, which rules state must be significantly more expensive than standard taxis.
Uber has not been available in Abu Dhabi since the crackdown, although Careem has since returned to the roads.
It offers an economy service for a minimum charge of Dh19 – compared with a base charge of Dh12 for a standard taxi – as well as limo, child and wheelchair-friendly services.
Dubai regulates ride-hailing apps separately and there are thousands of Careem and Uber drivers on the roads.
The deal means Careem will share data with the Department of Culture and Tourism in the capital, such as around traffic flows at large events and about commuter behaviour during rush hours.
The company will also offer technological support and ride-hailing services to the government.
“This agreement between our two organisations is in line with our desire to constantly improve the visitor experience at all touch points across the emirate,” said Saif Ghobash, undersecretary at the Department of Culture and Tourism.
“Working together with our partners at Careem we will improve accessibility and take another step towards a truly seamless travel experience for our guests.
“Enhancing transport provision and efficiency, as well as using Careem to cross-promote events across the emirate, means our guests can concentrate more on enjoying the culture and heritage of Abu Dhabi.
“The experience and knowledge gained from our collaboration will also pay dividends in the future, which will ultimately benefit Abu Dhabi.”
Bassel Al Nahlaoui, managing director of Careem Gulf, said the announcement brought his company closer to its mission to “simplify and improve people’s lives”.