Abu Dhabi: Residents in the emirate above the age of 60, and those who suffer from chronic illnesses that impair movement, are now entitled to a 50 per cent discount on taxi fares.
In addition, 16 categories of people registered at the Ministry of Social Affairs (MSA), including divorced women, widows and orphans, will be eligible for a discount of 25 per cent.
According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the MSA and TransAD, (the taxi regulatory authority in the capital), a total of 10,000 people can soon avail of discounted fares when using taxis in the capital.
“Anyone with social needs can avail of this discount by applying for a social discount card, which is already available. The scheme will be effective from July 15,” Masood Hashem, acting general manager of TransAD said.
TransAD officials explained that people can obtain social discount cards based on their category of social need.
Drivers will swipe the card on a special device in the taxi at the end of the journey and a discount would be applied to the fare.
“At the end of the month, when a driver reports his earnings, TransAD will pay the discounted amount to the taxi company to make up the difference in the revenue. Drivers will also get an addition to their earnings, which will equal 25 per cent of the revenue collected from passengers with special needs,” Hashem explained. He said this was to encourage drivers to stop for people with special needs and help TransAD fulfill its corporate social responsibility.
Hussain Saeed Al Shaikh, the chief executive officer of the social welfare sector at the MSA, hailed the move by TransAD.
Al Shaikh said the ministry will be in charge of updating TransAd about the status of people with social needs.
“Some women may be remarried or financial constraints can be eased. Since the social discount cards are only valid for a year, we will know if people’s situations have changed when they come to renew their cards. And we have strict regulations on who can avail of social benefit, people will not be able to misuse this system,” Al Shaikh said.
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