Deserving Sharjah drivers receive shopping vouchers

The Roads and Transport Authority, Sharjah, in a bid to encourage disciplined performance, has so far distributed 2,404 shopping vouchers, each worth Dh50, to well-behaved drivers.

Some of the drivers who were gifted vouchers. — Supplied photo

The vouchers, amounting to Dh120,200, were gifted to 2,404 public bus drivers and cabbies, both men or women, as part of the Shukran’ or ‘Thanks’ incentive programme launched in 2011.

Abdul Abdulaziz Al Jarwan, Director of Transport Affairs, RTA, Sharjah, said the lucrative scheme worth Dh100,000 was adopted to inspire good conduct among drivers, curb traffic violations and complaints, and boost customer satisfaction.

“As per the Shukran programme, the drivers are financially and spiritually rewarded for behaving well.” They may also replace the black points imposed against traffic violations with white ones, he added.

Eng Al Jarwan said positive conduct from the driver is rewarded with three white points which can remove one black point. “Such an innovative way boosts competition among drivers to win customer satisfaction.”

He said that of the many positive practices, seven are the most important and much sought-after. “A driver should help passengers with loading and offloading their luggage, behave decently, keep the vehicle clean both inside and outside, and ensure that the vehicle smells fresh.” In addition to this, the drivers’ uniform should be clean and neat. “Giving priority to pedestrians, and doing anything that leaves a good impression on the public shall be rewarded, as well.”

All employees and drivers are subjected to training courses on a regular basis to better their performance. “Quality controllers are also trained on problem solving, work pressure, self-building, good communication skills, and management,” he said.

Al Jarwan said the department intended to provide best shuttle services to their customers which hit 5.5 million in 2013 and 3 million in 2012.

“RTA Sharjah spares no effort in boosting public shuttle service to cope with the progress and prosperity spreading across the emirate which has been named the capital of Islamic culture for the year 2014.”

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com