Illegal taxi operators make a quick buck in trips to Global Village

Dubai: Illegal taxis are doing brisk business during weekends at the Sonapur worker accommodations.

Private taxi owners are seen queuing up at various junctions at the accommodations to pick up passengers going to the Global Village or Sharjah.

The labourer who spoke to Gulf News said that the illegal taxi operators take advantage of the fact that there are no direct buses that are operational to the Global Village from their accommodation in Sonapur.

"We have the public transport buses running every five minutes from Sonapur but none take us directly to the Global Village. The taxis charge us Dh10 per person to Global Village, while they charge Dh5 per person to Sharjah," said Iqbal Mohammad, a Bangladeshi labourer.

According to the labourers, commuting by the public transport buses definitely works out cheaper for them as compared to illegal taxis.

Tinted glasses

Interestingly all the illegal taxis that were lined up at the labour accommodations had tinted glasses. These taxis carry five passengers per trip to the Global village and the more-or-less the same number on their return journey. In a matter of two hours the illegal taxis manage to make Dh100.

These taxi operators have a network that keeps an eye on any officials of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on their prowl.

"There are policemen in plain clothes at times paying us a visit but we have a knack of identifying them," said Ganesh Moilu, an Indian labourer. According to the labourers the illegal taxis do not at times drop them off middle of the road if they spot a police vehicle.

"When the RTA announced that they are on the lookout for illegal taxi operators for a couple of weeks not a single of them was seen around this area. But they are now back in business with the start of the Dubai Shopping Festival," said Golu, a Bangladeshi labourer.

Illegal taxi operators said they were doing a service to the labourers.

"Currently there are no public transport buses to the Global Village which is located far away from the city. If the labourers want to go there they have to first take a bus to Deira or Bur Dubai and from their catch another bus.

"We take them directly and in the bargain we make some money. In two return trips to Sonapur from Global Village I end up making Dh200," said an illegal taxi operator who works as an office boy.

I think it is brilliant, who wouldn't make quick bucks in transport in Dubai, as taxis are too expensive and the buses never come on time.
Amyn
Dubai,UAE

I truly believe that the RTA should not do anything to these guys until they have an alternative, then they have every right to stop them.
Wosim
Dubai,UAE

Public buses are usually unavailable. This is from my own experience, as I have spent many hours waiting at bus stops because buses are late, full or simply won't stop. First I think bus services should be improved and then stop illegal taxis.
Lawrence
Dubai,UAE

Not everyone is rich enough to pay Dh75-100 per trip to reach Global Village or for that matter use the service of metered taxi, which is costly by nature.
Venkattaesh
Sharjah,UAE

As long as the RTA doesn't find an effective solution for public transportation, illegal taxis will continue and people like us will rely on them.
Abdul
Dubai,UAE