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Sharjah Transport taxi complaints decrease

Sharjah Transport has detected a significant drop in taxi driver violations and passenger complaints this year, basically due to regular training, awareness campaigns and intensified patrols particularly at areas with most breaches.

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According to a senior official, more taxi drivers are now behaving better. “As many as 5,172 tickets have been issued this year so far at different areas of the emirate,” said Mohamed Karam, Head of Service Quality Control Department at Sharjah Transport.

“Some 18,000 tickets were issued against cabbies in Sharjah in 2010 and 20,000 in 2009,” he added.

On top of the list of violations were pulling up at improper stops, risky driving, parking at prohibited areas, driving in a ‘no entry’ zone, and talking on the mobile phone while driving without using headsets.

“The corporation, strictly handling all the fines reported, issue an immediate ticket, inform the company where the cabbie works, and later summons the taxi driver in view of the type, risk and repetition of the violation for investigation,” he said.

Karam explained that the ‘reward and encouragement policy’ adopted is another major reason that helped hone cabbies’ skills and improved communication with the public.

Sharjah Transport is running a crew of 127 public buses, MCV and King Long, as well as 4,396 taxis operated by four franchise companies — 1,099 each, and driven by 12,064 drivers.

“The Customer Service Centre is more than ready to receive complaints, suggestions and comments on service round the clock at toll free (700067000),” Karam added.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes