Dubai: A new cab service, focusing on offering safer services for women and children especially, was launched by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Monday.
Called the "In-Safe-Hands Taxi Service", it allows passengers to book the cabs for daily, weekly or monthly use after signing an agreement with the RTA.
The service is designed mainly for women, children, students, families and people with special needs.
"The service aims to offer heightened safety for passengers," Abdul Mohsen Ebrahim, CEO of RTA Strategy and Corporate Governance and Head of the Dubai Taxi Supervisory Committee said.
Swift, quality service
It is customised based on the passenger requirements and comes with a promise of swift, timely and quality service, he said.
"For instance, if a parent wishes their child to be dropped off to and picked up from school everyday, they can book this service."
Highly trained drivers
"Not only highly trained drivers will be assigned for the task, but they will be acquainted to school authorities and parents, making it safer," Ebrahim said.
A fleet of selected 60 cabs will be used for the service initially, including sedan vehicles, ladies and family cabs, family vans and special needs vans.
Yousuf Al Ali, Acting CEO of Dubai Taxi Corporation, said that the minimum fare for the service has been set at Dh 25 and Dh 1.71 will be charged for every additional kilometre.
The waiting charge is 50 fils per each minute of waiting, similar to normal cabs. Dh20 will be added to the fare in case of driving to Sharjah. There is no additional application fee for the service.
Choice of driver
"The customer may choose male or female drivers. In case a female driver is selected, passengers must be aged below 12 or be families and ladies, but there will be no conditions in case a male driver is selected," Al Ali said.
He added that children below the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
