Sharjah taxi meters to start at Dh20 for Dubai trips

Sharjah: Instead of providing additional taxis for the public to travel to Dubai, the Sharjah Transport Authority has made it costly, by starting the meter at Dh20 from December 1.

The current metered taxi starts from Dh2.50 during day time and Dh3.30 after dark.

Franchise taxi operators say that the increase in fare will serve as an incentive for taxi drivers to take passengers to Dubai.

There are four franchise companies currently operational in Sharjah and all of them have been receiving complaints from residents of taxis refusing to take them to Dubai.

"It was costing us too much on petrol to take passengers to Dubai because of the traffic congestion. The increase in fare will now make taxi drivers impossible to refuse a passenger heading to Dubai. More the trips, more the money," said Mohammad Al Haddad, managing director of Advantage Taxi.

He suggested that passengers who find the new taxi fare expensive can take the public bus. "It is affordable for all," said Al Haddad.

Residents were angry after hearing about the new charge. "Words fail me. I just do not understand why they did what they did," said Hassan Ali.

Residents said that instead of focusing on the internal public transport system of Sharjah, the government should encourage on improving inter-emirate transport services.

A new bus route was launched on Tuesday as part of the public transportation's expansion project in the emirate.

Route 8, the second bus route to operate in Sharjah, starts from Al Ittihad Terminal (located next to Ittihad Park), and passes through Shaikh Saqr Bin Khalid Al Qasimi Street, Al Wahda Street, Al Ittihad Street, Al Taawun Street, Al Nahda Street and Al Nahda Terminal.

"We are also going to launch a new bus route next week, Route 3, that will cover other areas of Sharjah," said Fahad Al Awadi, general manager of KGL Passenger Transport Service.

The buses will run from 5.30am to 11.30pm everyday at an interval of 15 minutes, according to Al Awadi.

What is the maximum time you have waited for a taxi? Have you ever been refused a taxi ride due to traffic or choice of destination? Will increasing the fare guarantee better taxi service?

Pls put a camera at Al mukhtar bakery and just watch how many taxi drivers refuse to pick you up in the morning from 7 to 9 A.M. Average wait time is 50 minutes if u are going to dubai.
Ahmad
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: October 29, 2008, 08:54

We believe its the COMPANY that should give incentive to their employees and not the POOR PUBLIC. The taxi drivers are being paid their monthly salaries for their job. If they are not picking up the passengers and if this sort of hiking the taxi fare is done, it is like indirectly BRIBING the taxi drivers. However, it doesnt make sense in HURTING THE POOR PUBLIC who are already in lot of PAIN and DISTRESS.
Manoj
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 29, 2008, 08:29

I don?t know what the taxi drivers want, I think they have to work in the places where there is no traffic then better we can let them drive a boat in the sea, the increase in fare is totally unfair, also not only the taxi drivers refuses to go to Dubai even they don?t take the passengers to Ajman.
Audi
Ajman,UAE
Posted: October 29, 2008, 08:09

It's an interesting idea. It's great for the taxi drivers IF they are getting part of the profit. It's terrible for the people who don't make a lot of money. Trying to force people to the bus is not the best idea here. Especially since it takes so long to get somewhere by bus.
Sara
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 29, 2008, 08:01

This is one of the worst ideas they came up with. Transport Authority is supposed to check those Taxi driver who deny going to Dubai. They are supposed to punish. On the other hand taxi driver are not going to get 20 AED for per trip this is Transport Auth. going to fill their pocket. Increase buses to Dubai from various areas to resolve this issue.
farhad
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: October 29, 2008, 07:51