RTA raises Dubai taxi fares

Dubai - However, according to taxi drivers, some have received a notification stating the rise while others are completely unaware of it.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has raised the Dubai Taxi fares by six per cent, and for airport taxis by 12 per cent. However, the hike went almost unnoticed by Dubai residents and, in some cases, taxi drivers, as well.
"There is indeed a hike in taxi fares," said an RTA official. "However, it is a very small and subtle hike," the spokesperson added. The official has assured that more details will be revealed by the transport authority in due time.
However, according to taxi drivers, some have received a notification stating the rise while others are completely unaware of it.
Some of the drivers Khaleej Times caught up with said the hike amounts to 10 to 12 fils. In that case, the tariffs would rise from Dh1.71 per kilometre to Dh1.82 (a six per cent jump) while an airport taxi has gone up from Dh1.75 to Dh1.96 (a 12 per cent rise).
Drivers said that the hike has been attributed to the deregulation in fuel prices.
Long-term taxi driver and resident of Dubai Mustafa Kunnhimarekar Vattolil said: "It is a very subtle and small hike of 10 fils. It will go unnoticed by most passengers. We haven't received any official confirmation yet."
Another taxi driver, M.K said: "It has been hiked. we received a message from Dubai Taxi. But it is very subtle and taxi drivers are not going to profit from it."
Regular Dubai taxi user and Dubai resident Sudheer Gopan said: "In the long run, users like me will end up paying more money. I might shift to using the Metro more often as compared to Dubai Taxi."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai