UAE | Traffic and Transport

Taxi fleet takes to RAK's roads in bid to boost public transport

A new fleet of taxis are to take to the emirate's roads, marking the first step towards the creation of a world-class public transport system, according to a top transport official.

  • By Nasouh Nazzal, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:40 February 25, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Shaikh Saud inspecting the Al Hamra taxi fleet. As many as 1,600 taxis are to be introduced within a year.
  • Image Credit: Supplied Picture

Ras Al Khaimah: A new fleet of taxis are to take to the emirate's roads, marking the first step towards the creation of a world-class public transport system, according to a top transport official.

Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, yesterday launched the new fleet run by Al Hamra Taxi, under RAK Transport Authority (RAK TA). Two companies were also awarded the contract to operate franchise taxis in the emirate.

The agreements were signed by Colonel Nasser Muradad, Chairman of RAK Transport Authority, and Shaikh Sultan Bin Majid Al Qasimi, representing Al Arabiya Taxi, and Ahmad Abdullah Al Ghurair, Board Member of the Cars Taxi Group.

Speaking at the function, Nasser Muradad said the launch of the new taxi fleet marked the first step towards the creation of a world-class public transport system in the emirate.

"The remarkable economic and social development currently underway in Ras Al Khaimah calls for the creation of excellent public transport facilities which we hope will partly be met by the modern fleet," he added.

As many as 1,600 new taxis will be introduced in the emirate by the three operators within a year. RAK TA, the government agency responsible for regulating public transport in the emirate, will withdraw all the 1,300 taxis currently operating in the emirate before December 31, 2009, in a phased manner.

Abdullah Mohammad Al Awadi, Director-General of RAK Transport Authority, said that Al Hamra Taxis will have 600 taxis on the road within a year. The other two operators, Al Arabiya Taxi and Cars Taxi, will introduce 500 taxis each to reach the target of 1,600 new taxis.

He said that the owners of the licences of the existing taxis would be compensated by providing a monthly life payment of Dh500 and this would be paid to their families upon their death.

Al Awadi said that drivers of the existing taxis would undergo a test and be recruited by the operators if they met their criteria.

He said that rural and remote areas of the emirate were not adequately served by the existing taxis.

"The new fleet will have five per cent of their vehicles allocated to operate in rural areas. Also we have allocated 100 vehicles to operate at RAK International Airport," he said, adding that 10 per cent of the fleet will be "pink taxis" which will have women drivers and be reserved for women only.

Outlining the future plans of the authority, Al Awadi said it plans to launch bus services connecting various places in Ras Al Khaimah by the end of this year, using small buses.

Fares: Marginal increase

Al Awadi said that the new taxi services will only have a marginal increase in fares. The new taxi fleet will have their starting fare at Dh2.50 and a running charge of 75 fils per kilometre. The existing taxis have a starting fare of Dh2 with each additional kilometre charged at 50 fils.

"The increase will be less than 25 per cent and it will be acceptable for the passenger community," he added.

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