Dubai: Illegal transport firms, including E-Hail service providers without permits, face a penalty of Dh50,000, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Tuesday.
E-Hail or mobile-based transport services like Uber and Careem were not given permits to operate as transport firms until last month.
However, after the Executive Council issued a resolution to reorganise the transportation sector, the RTA issued permits to the two popular E-Hail firms to offer transportation services.
“We have an agreement with E-Hail services like Uber and Careem and in future if any company wants to start such a service they have to take a permit from RTA, otherwise they will be slapped with a fine of Dh50,000,” said Abdullah Al Mahra, director of Franchising and Enforcement at RTA’s Public Transport Agency.
He said the penalty would apply to any firm running an illegal transportation network.
Fines for individuals operating transportation service without permit has also been increased from Dh5,000 to Dh20,000.
“The resolution specifies the administrative penalties related to transporting passengers by taxis or limousines illegally. It prohibits practising the activity before obtaining the permit required from the RTA’s Public Transport Agency, and clearing the approved training courses for drivers stipulated in this regard,” said Abdullah Yousuf Al Ali, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency.
The penalty for allowing unauthorised persons to operate the taxi or limousine is also Dh20,000.
The resolution also prohibits transporting passengers on vehicles not licensed for this purpose within the emirate or from Dubai to any other emirate. The penalty for the violation is also Dh20,000.
The resolution also prohibits promoting taxi services on unlicensed vehicles or announcing the offering of this service by hailing individuals or any other means. The violation will attract a fine of Dh5,000.
It also prohibits transporting passengers in taxis without switching on the meter at the start of each trip and the penalty for the offence is Dh2,500.
Tampering with the taxi meter in a bid to modify the fare, or operating a taxi without installing a meter will attract a fine of Dh25,000.
Al Ali noted that resolution No 6 of 2016 authorises PTA to prepare and endorse technical and safety standards required to operate taxis and limousines.
He added that any company operating transport services without meeting the safety and technical requirements will face a fine of Dh5,000.
Among the requirements is ensuring easy access for people with special needs in vehicles used for transportation.
