Careem starts Economy service in Capital

Abu Dhabi - The new economy car type starts with a minimum fare of Dh19

Popular cab-hailing app Careem has introduced a low-cost luxury transport service in the Capital following high demand from customers.
The new economy car type, which came into effect on Tuesday, starts with a minimum fare of Dh19, down from the previous minimum charge of Dh40. The new service offers a comfortable ride at a 50 per cent fare reduction, said Careem, adding that it has also reduced its rates by more than 30 per cent across all its other car types in Abu Dhabi.
The announcement was made during a Press conference on Tuesday after the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) in Abu Dhabi signed an agreement with Careem, allowing the firm to operate the economy ride hailing service across Abu Dhabi.
Both Careem and Uber were forced to cease operations in the Capital in February 2016 over licensing and pricing issues. While Careem resumed its services a few weeks later, Uber has never returned to Abu Dhabi.
Clemence Dutertre, general manager of Careem UAE, said: "Our mission has always been to simplify the lives of people and these new fares open up the Careem service to more passengers enabling a wider range of customers to ride with us.
"With this new regulatory agreement, we can now charge more affordable and dynamic rates across the different car types, including launching a very affordable service, Economy. "We have reduced the rates for all our car types and have introduced the Economy CCT option, for which the minimum fare is Dh19 and price per kilometre is Dh2.35."
Mohammed Darwish Al Qamzi, general manager of ITC, said after signing the agreement: "According to the agreement, Careem will transport the passengers within or outside the emirate using licensed private or public hire cars. The centre regulates the activities of hire cars and issue permits."
The economy service joins the existing car types, Limo (premium vehicles with high rated captains), Careem Kids (fitted with one child seat), Max (six-seater minivans), and Careem Assist (wheelchair-friendly vehicle, also fitted with a wheelchair for customers in need).
Bassel Al Nahlaoui, managing director of Careem for the Gulf region, said: "We have introduced the economy service because of the high demand for low-cost transport services from government departments and customers."
Careem will also offer full and part time employment opportunities to citizens and children of Emirati mothers as they are allowed to use their personal vehicles in accordance with the ITC's regulations.
"Abu Dhabi will be the first city to provide licences for Emiratis to use their own vehicles and drive with Careem," said Dutertre.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi