UAE | Traffic and Transport

New Sharjah taxi service means more cars on road soon

Sharjah Public Transport Corporation is set to launch a new taxi service next month to combat the shortage of taxis faced by residents.

  • By Mariam M. Al Serkal, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:08 July 15, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
  • Sharjah Taxi is expected to launch on August 1 and will initially provide 55 cars to the public.

Sharjah: Sharjah Public Transport Corporation is set to launch a new taxi service next month to combat the shortage of taxis faced by residents.

Sharjah Taxi is expected to launch on August 1 and will initially provide 55 cars to the public.

"We currently have approval for 235 cars, which will be achieved in several stages. The first stage will have 55 cars in August and by September we are expecting to launch 60 additional cars," said a senior official at Sharjah Public Transport Corporation (SPTC).

Increased fares

The remaining cars will be added on a monthly basis.

SPTC is responsible for operating four franchise taxi companies that offer more than 4,000 taxis, which include Advantage Taxi, Union Taxi, City Taxi and Emirates Taxi.

"We are also considering raising the basic amount for the taxi meter because of the increasing price of petrol.

"The basic price has not been raised in over five years, and we are also affected by rising costs," said the SPTC official.

The meter fare currently starts at Dh2.50 in the day and Dh3 at night.

The need to introduce the new taxi service was to meet the high level of demand by residents who have frequently complained of a lack of taxis, in addition to helping the public transport system grow side-by-side, according to the official.

Welcomed

Residents welcomed the news of additional taxis in Sharjah as there are currently not enough circulating through the city.

"There are not enough taxis roaming the city and it is very difficult to find one at the moment. The new taxis should aim to provide better services for passengers, because the ones right now are usually reluctant to drive to Dubai," said Munir Ahmad.

Mooch

Mooch ado about nothing

Mooch represents dreams, troubles of a Dubaiite

The villa owners have now brought their own kit to check chlorine levels

Pool horror

Twins hospitalised after swimming pool horror

Picture of Burj Khalifa taken at 12.19am on Sunday. The picture clearly shows fog-covered Burj Khalifa, quashing rumours of fire.

General

Reports of Burj Khalifa fire: Rumours or real?

Community Reports

More from Community Reports

<i>Building a Nation</i> is both accessible enough for newcomers in the UAE to appreciate the emirates and informed enough for long-term residents to value the history and context.

Book

Gulf News' book chronicles UAE's rich history

National Day wallpaper

40 years of UAE

Download commemorative wallpapers of the UAE