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Station wagons to replace Dubai airport taxi fleet

Taxis at Dubai airports will now be family-size station wagons to provide better space for passengers and baggage.

The decision to replace the airport taxi fleet with larger vehicles followed customer feedback, said the Dubai Taxi Corporation of the Roads and Transport Authority on Friday

The RTA said most customers preferred station wagon-type vehicles over regular cabs, and it was noticed that 75 per cent of the people chose these vehicles over sedans in the fleet.

“The idea of unifying the types of taxicabs deployed in Dubai airports was initiated by Mustafa Mustafa Shalabi, Senior Executive of Special Services, in view of his daily work and direct involvement with arriving passengers. He has seen a rising demand for family-size taxi vans in Dubai airports,’’ said Mohammed Yousef Salih, Director of Fleet Operations at the Dubai Taxi Corporation.

Station wagons like the Toyoto Innova have higher ground clearance, with an additional row of seats and is also easy to load extra luggage. They vans can, therefore, carry three more passengers. Large families will benefit most with extra space for people and luggage, the RTA said.

“Naturally, Dubai airports receive passenger bags of various sizes, so the move to unify the types of taxicabs deployed in Dubai airports to family vans will better meet the requirements of customers. The service is well received and meets the needs of all passengers arriving at Dubai airports,’’ said Mohammed Yousef Salih, Director of Fleet Operations at the Dubai Taxi Corporation.

There are 350 taxi vans at Dubai airports round the clock. Designated parking lots are provided for these taxicabs in Terminal 1, 2 and 3 and the service is manned by efficient drivers.

The fare for Dubai airport taxi services starts from Dh25, with Dh1.75 charged per kilometre. Passengers to Sharjah will have to pay Dh20 extra.

news@khaleejtimes.com