Shortage of qualified drivers in UAE affects taxi services, says official

Abu Dhabi: Drivers are the most sought after skilled workers in the UAE, according to employers.

A shortage of qualified drivers has already affected taxi services and many other businesses. Some employers have said they are unable to find recruits from the local market.

This is one of the reasons behind the acute shortage of taxis in the capital, said an official.

"We are phasing in new taxis on a daily basis. However, if the public thinks there is any delay in the introduction of new taxis that is because of the shortage of qualified taxi drivers," an official at the Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars [Trans AD] in Abu Dhabi told Gulf News.

We are finding it difficult to get qualified drivers who know the main roads and who can speak either English or Arabic, said Huda Al Ka'abi, Communication Officer at Trans Ad. We want drivers with a good attitude and acceptable standards of hygiene, she added.

"We don't want any more complaints from passengers that taxis smell and drivers are shouting at them," said the official.

High demand

"As well as Abu Dhabi, the northern emirates and some other Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia are upgrading their taxi service which in turn has created a high demand for drivers," Al Ka'abi said.

Many taxi companies said they have to go abroad to recruit new drivers. There is a high demand for drivers all over the GCC, said an official of Al Gazzal transport.

"We formed a committee to recruit drivers from India, Pakistan, Egypt and Jordan," said Nael Al Faqih, Sales and Marketing Manager. "We need 1,021 drivers in Abu Dhabi and most of them will be from abroad," said Al Faqih.