Coin-operated taxi booking system launched in Dubai

Dubai Transport has launched a new system of booking taxis using roadside coin-operated machines which they claim will summon a taxi to the location within minutes. Electronic machines, linked to the global positioning system and reserve unit at Dubai Transport, have been installed in different areas.

Under the system, the customer has to insert a dirham into the slot, and a taxi will arrive there in minutes. The machine also prints an advice confirming booking and the coin remains suspended till the taxi arrives.

The machines have been installed at Dubai Airport Free Zone, Rashid Hospital, American Hospital, Welcare Hospital, Al Wasl Hospital and Twin Towers. They will be installed in other areas soon.

Director General of Dubai Transport, Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, said the move is in line with the e-government initiative, and provides the public with yet another service. He added that the service will be of help in crowded areas, and during the different festivals around the year.

The Director of the Information Technology Department, Khalid Hashim, said the system has a number of characteristics: the machines are small, they can be fixed easily, they are operated on batteries, they can be shifted from one place to another as required and they are weather proof.