Even though 80 per cent of Gulf News readers said they had never used a car-hailing app, services introduced by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) like eKar and Udrive have been used over 60,000 times since they launched in January this year. This poll question was based on the numbers released by the RTA seven months after they launched these services. UAE residents also have the options of other e-hailing providers like Uber or Careem.
But why does the majority not prefer to use them? The UAE has one of the highest number of car owners and a 2015 study showed that for every two Dubai residents there was one car on the road. Another reason could be the base rates – RTA taxis start at Dh12 if ordered through the app, which is higher than the starting price of a taxi that has been hailed on the roads. However, e-hailing is the way forward as the UAE introduces smart services as part of its strategic goals, so it seems to be only a matter of time before services start gaining popularity. How do you prefer to travel within the UAE? Share your thoughts with us at readers@gulfnews.com
— By Huda Tabrez/Community Web Editor
