Dubai Transport Corporation, meanwhile, is expected to release a report on the violations against the ruling on passenger transport, or Decision No. 6 of 2003, anytime soon, a source at the Corporation told Khaleej Times yesterday.

He added that the report is still subject for review by Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, Director General of the Dubai Transport Corporation.

Under Decision No 6 of 2003 issued by His Highness Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in July 2003, violators will be fined Dh2, 500 for the first offence, and Dh5, 000 for succeeding offences.

It is hoped that the periodic reports on the violations by Dubai Transport Corporation will serve as a deterrent to those engaging in the unlawful practice of transport passengers for a fee.

Quality Controllers at the Dubai Transport Corporation are equipped with IDs, which authorise them to issue tickets to erring motorists. Cases of all violations against the ruling on passenger transport are later referred to the courts. The three franchise companies, including Metro Taxi, Cars, and National Taxi, as well as the Dubai Police Traffic Department and Dubai Municipality are likewise involved in the implementation of the ruling.

As this developed, Gilbert (not his real name) admitted that he will continue to patronise the services rendered by a Filipino driver who regularly picks him up from his workplace and takes him to his residence everyday.

"It has already been two months since I have been using the service, and no one has mentioned that Dubai Transport has implemented the law. There are over 20 Filipino drivers in this building who still offer car lift services in my building although instead of waiting for their 'customers' in front, they have tried to be as inconspicuous as possible by waiting at the side of the building to avoid the prying eyes of the police," he told Khaleej Times.

He added: "This set-up is very convenient and cost-effective. I save Dh2.50 to Dh3 a day. You can actually book for a week or a month, depending on the availability of the driver as he caters to two other 'customers'. The driver makes sure that his car is not completely filled up. He takes only three passengers at a time, perhaps to make it appear that those inside the car are his acquaintances and not his 'customers'," Gilbert explained.

Edgar (not his real name), on the other hand, said that he has been using car lift services until last year when he finally got his last year driving license and managed to buy a second-hand car. Now he offers car lift services to earn some extra income for his daily needs, including petrol. "We've been warned about the law banning car lift services but why are they still advertised in the newspaper? But just the same, I do not make it (car lift services) as the only source of income."

Khaleej Times chanced upon an Indian motorist outside a supermarket scouting for a potential customer. When warned that the Dubai Transport has begun issuing tickets to violators of the law, he only replied: "But what time do they usually come here to check on us? It is difficult to evade them if we do not know what time they would usually come."