New TransAD chief to look into taxi availability issue

Abu Dhabi: Tackling complaints about the lack of taxis during peak hours will be a priority, said the newly appointed general manager of TransAD.

Abdullah Sultan Al Sabbagh took charge of the post at the Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

"By using the electronic monitoring system of taxis, I will try to sort out complaints about lack of taxis inside the city," he said.

"Today, I myself will go out with my team to assess the situation," he said.

Al Sabbagh, who had worked as an executive director of Cars Group of Companies and executive of operations in Dubai Transport Corporation, said his experience in the taxi sector may help him understand the ground realities and find possible solutions to improve the service.

His appointment was announced by Abdullah Rashid Al Otaiba, Chairman of the Department of Transport.

Al Sabbagh also said that he will announce a decision related to taxi tariffs today.

"It will make franchisees and public happy," he said. About 7 franchisees are running more than 3,000 new silver taxis in the emirate.

More than 6,000 gold and white taxis (old taxis) are being phased out gradually.

TransAD has established the basic platform and rules for the taxi sector in including procedures for bringing in new taxis and phasing out old taxis, dealing with complaints and taxi driver assessments.

TransAD has developed a taxi inspection system and inspection manual for both new and old taxis. It has also launched a new state-of-art "Vehicle Tracking and Dispatch Technology" along with a centralized call centre.

numbers

7

franchisees

3,000

new silver taxis in Abu Dhabi

6,000

gold and white taxis being phased out

BINSAL ABDUL KADER/Gulf News