Transad, the operator of public transport and taxis in Abu Dhabi, has announced plans to introduce closed-circuit television monitoring in its fleet of taxis, with the measure to be implemented fully by 2016.
The video recording measure is being welcomed by drivers in the fleet, who believe that the devices will offer a record of what actually happens when passengers complain about fares and services. Under the current system, the drivers say, they end up coming off second best and have fines deducted from their wages.
The innovation is a measure that needs to be introduced by Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) into its fleet of cabs. As it stands now, taxi drivers in Dubai often feel the heat from unruly passengers or those who flee cabs without paying. If the RTA allows for video technology, fare dodgers can be easily identified. And if the measure is used as an arbiter when it comes to resolving disputes, then that can only be a good thing. The last thing that should happen is that taxi drivers are forced to forego wages on the complaints of those who accuse the drivers of wrongdoing.
