Abu Dhabi announces hike in taxi fares effective from Sunday

Abu Dhabi: Fares for silver taxis in the capital are set to increase for all trips from Sunday, the taxi regulatory authority announced Thursday.

The revised fare will be Dh1 for every 750 metres covered, as opposed to the former rate of Dh1 for every 1,000 metres covered, according to a statement by the Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars (TransAD).

The flag-fall rate — the basic fee for the first 250 metres of the journey — remains unchanged at Dh3 between 6am and 9.59pm and Dh3.60 between 10pm and 5.59am.

The statement issued by TransAD said the decision was made as a result of the recent fuel price hikes, which had increased the operating costs of the seven taxi franchisees in Abu Dhabi. The higher fares, which were decided upon after a periodic review of the franchisees by the regulatory authority, will allow the latter to provide a better quality taxi service.

The statement said the fare increase was "symbolic" since the cost of short trips would only increase by Dh1 or Dh2, while residents would benefit from improved services that were available 24 hours a day.

However, H. Samir, a 21-year-old Abu Dhabi resident, said that people in the capital who used taxis were already cash-strapped.

"Most of the people who use taxis cannot afford to buy their own cars. So even if the increase in fares seems insignificant, it is a big deal for residents over the long run," Samir said.

Taxi drivers in the capital said TransAD's decision would help them to meet their targets more easily.