Residents react to Abu Dhabi taxi fare hike

Taxi fares in Abu Dhabi have gone up from Thursday, with the minimum charge set at Dh12. The new flag-fall rate is Dh5 from Dh3.5 for day trips and Dh5.5 for night trips.

The waiting fee is 50 fils for both day and night trips. The taxi booking rate is now Dh4 for day trips and Dh5 for night trips. With this Abu Dhabi's minimum charge is similar to Dubai.

The new rates were announced on May 1 and took effect a month after publication in the Official Gazette.

Taxi drivers, largely, welcomed this move.

"The new rates have started today. I can't say this is good or bad for us but surely my company will be happy by the end of this month," Farhad Hussain, a taxi driver, said.

Hussain isn't sure if there will be new targets given to him now.

However, some cars had software update of new billing not in place by evening.

"By Friday, all taxis will have the same fare. It's not just my taxi but others too will get updated soon. the process started from Thursday 12 am," Krishna Prasad, a taxi driver, said.

Drivers are optimistic that despite the hike passengers will continue to use taxis.

Teg Bahadur said most of the passengers are Filipinos and he has full faith they will continue to pay then walk in blazing summer.

"Indians will be doubtful but I can count on Filipinos," he said.

However, Reyes Michelle, a Filipino, working at a shop on Muroor Road said she had to pay Dh5.5 or Dh6 and now the fare got doubled.

"I have to seriously rethink about using public transport," Reyes said.

Another Filipino said such a move was best implemented after the summer season.

Sajeev Sahadevan, a regular taxi user, said the fare hike is an issue for those who take short distance trips.
"Now we may see more cycles on road. Most Indians walk small distance or use public buses. I was under the impression this was a proposal but shocked by such a huge hike. This means you travel a distance of Dh5 and yet pay Dh12."

Announcing the new fares last month, Abu Dhabi Integrated Transport Center had said the revision was part of efforts to enhance the quality of service provided to taxi riders.

Source: Khaleej Times