Sharjah - Over 1,072 taxi drivers in Sharjah have been fined in the first eight months of the year because their vehicles stink.
Published: Thu 15 Oct 2015, 12:00 AM
Last updated: Thu 15 Oct 2015, 2:02 PM
If you think cabs stink, it could be because the driver could not take a shower break due to his long working hours.
Over 1,072 taxi drivers in Sharjah have been fined in the first eight months of the year because their vehicles stink.
Air freshners, please! Is RTA Sharjah listening?
It is in the interest of cabbies to work longer hours since they work on a commission basis; the more they work, the more they get. Hence they do not get time to take a break, especially a shower-break.
Added to that are passengers with foul body odour. So what is the solution for an odour-free car?
Khaleej Times is urging the RTA Sharjah to provide taxis with air fresheners and cabbies with deodorants. It is a win-win situation ... for the passengers as well as drivers.
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The Roads and Transport Authority Sharjah (RTAS) has slapped 1,072 cabbies with a net fine of Dh214,400 along with 2,144 black points for their foul-smelling cabs. Official statistics show that the customer service centre received 54 complaints from the public about bad odour emanating from cabs over the period from January 1 to August 31.
However, inspectors and quality controllers have issued 1,072 tickets against cabbies for the same reason over the same period, according to Faisal Al Mahmud, head of quality control section, RTA Sharjah.
"All drivers go through intensive courses, lectures and training sessions as per international standards on a regular basis to fulfil customer needs and meet expectations."
The authority never ignores any complaint. "A fine of Dh200 and two black points are imposed on cabbies who fail to keep their taxis clean and smelling good. The penalty can be tougher."
Warning, he said the erring cabbie may face fines of up to Dh3,000, suspension, and even termination in case of repeating the foul odour violation. "Fifty inspectors are on the roads round-the-clock to ensure drivers' adherence to rules."
"Once we receive a complaint on the customer service centre (600525252), the driver is summoned for interrogation. If he is proven guilty, the due penalty is enforced." A taxi driver, identified as A.S, said they have nothing to do with the smell. "I do my best to keep the taxi clean, but it sometimes smells bad due to the long working hours."
Another cabbie, identified as M.A, said a taxi must always be clean and smell good. "But the foul smell may be due to the large number of passengers themselves and the items they are carrying."
A third taxi driver, K.D., said the foul smell may be due the food some drivers are eating. "But I believe most drivers pay much attention to the smell of their cabs."
Al Mahmud said the RTAS issued 8,667 tickets against taxi drivers in the first eight months of the year. "These included cabbies' failure to turn on the tariff meter AT the beginning of the trip, as well as wrong stop, and ignoring overhead shoulder rule."
The Customer Service Centre received 8,107 complaints, including 5,040 reports on lost items, from January 1 to August 31. "Should we receive five complaints against the same driver, he is referred for investigation, and may then be sent for retraining, or suspended for a week or two, or even terminated."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
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