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