Abu Dhabi: The Taxi Transport Regulation Centre will soon announce the names of five to six private companies that will be running and managing new taxi services in Abu Dhabi Emirate.
According to the centre, 18 companies from across the country have submitted their bids for contracts to set up the new taxi firms under the regulatory authority of the Taxi Transport Regulation Centre (TTRC.) The centre has already started the process of short-listing the qualifying firms.
The new project, called Abu Dhabi's 21st Century Taxi System, was launched under a law issued by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in his capacity as the Ruler of Abu Dhabi Emirate on October 1.
All the existing private taxis in the emirate, which number over 8,000, will be phased out from the middle of the next year and replaced with fleets of 1,000 modern vehicles operated by the winning companies.
The new system is being introduced following complaints from commuters about reckless driving, the poor condition of vehicles, lack of cleanliness and the arrogant behaviour of taxi drivers.
"The opportunity to provide a world class taxi service has attracted considerable attention," said Khalid Saleh Al Rashedi, TTRC General Manager.
All candidates will receive written communication in early December confirming the status of their pre-qualification applications.
"We are maintaining progress against our implementation plan to ensure we have new taxis on the streets of the emirate during the third quarter of 2007," Al Rashedi said.
Meanwhile, the centre has been receiving floods of calls inquiring about job opportunities and offering suggestions on future services.
The hotline (600 56 0006) is open for public suggestions.
The taxi centre hotline has also received queries from job seekers about the upcoming opportunities that will be created by the new taxi system.
Hashil Saeed Al Mujiri, an Abu Dhabi-based taxi licence holder said: "I am looking forward to the new system where we will have hygienic taxis and well-behaved drivers."
Another caller, Abdullah Al Shaikh Marzouq, also a taxi permit holder, said: "This new system will improve the image of Abu Dhabi as it has a lot of benefits for passengers since the taxis will be brand new and the drivers will be presentable."
