iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
Who takes custody of kids under 18 if Muslim mother initiates divorce proceedings?
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Dubai: New taxi platform to offer riders fare options from different drivers
Auction-based pricing model will ensure ‘lower fares for riders and higher incomes for drivers’, says company
Firdosh Sheikh. — Supplied photo
[Editor's note: This report has been updated based on a request from the source. It will be updated further once we receive inputs from regulators in Dubai]
A taxi platform that utilises an auction-based pricing model could soon operate in Dubai. This model removes the commission process, which contributes to “lower prices for riders and higher incomes for drivers”.
Drife, which is touted to be the UAE’s first decentralised ride hailing platform, gives users the option to choose their fares from multiple drivers. For any given ride, a minimum fare is set which is typically 30 per cent higher than standard fares. Drivers have the option to offer discounts, maintain the ride's standard fare, or request a premium.
“Riders are then presented with various fare options from different drivers, enabling them to make informed decisions based on their preferences such as price, distance, driver proximity, vehicle type, and driver rating,” Firdosh Sheikh, founder of Drife, told Khaleej Times.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
The platform operates on a zero-commission fee structure, “ensuring that up to 100 per cent of the fare paid by the rider goes directly to the driver”. This allows drivers to earn more income and pass on the benefits to riders in the form of savings.
The company said it will operate in partnership with its local franchise partner, AASA Passenger Mobility Services.
“Without a profit motive in the ride fare, Drife can offer riders affordable fares while ensuring drivers receive their full earnings. To sustain operations, the platform adopts a subscription-based model, where drivers pay a fee to access the platform. Subsequently, all earnings from rides belong entirely to the drivers, fostering a mutually beneficial ecosystem,” said Sheikh.
How drivers can sign up
Once the platform launches, it will start with 1,000 cabs. “We will work with Dubai’s limousine drivers initially ... Riders can hail a Drife taxi from Dubai and travel anywhere in the UAE,” said Sheikh.
Prospective drivers can sign up for the platform by downloading the application and completing the registration process. Documents they must submit include Emirates ID, driving licence, and RTA card. The company conducts “independent background checks” on drivers to ensure safety and security.
“Initially, drivers enjoy a complimentary 30-day subscription period before choosing between daily or monthly subscription plans,” said Sheikh. “Both drivers and riders can earn incentives within the platform for their active participation and engagement.”
Web 3 taxis
The company offers what it calls “taxi 3.0 services”.
“In taxi 3.0, the community, the market and the driver is in control and not anyone else. The market sets the prices; there are no commissions, and only a subscription fee for drivers to use the platform. (For) every ride, the money belongs to the drivers. This direct connection allows for more personalised and customised ride-hailing experiences,” said Sheikh.
ALSO READ:
The use of blockchain technology ensures transparency of prices, she added.
In the future, users will be able to use the company’s own cryptocurrency — DRF token — once approved by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.
“While DRF tokens will be available for payment, traditional methods such as cash, credit, and debit cards will remain the primary payment options during the initial phase. DRF tokens provide users with additional benefits.”
In 2023, the company obtained licences in various cities across India, including Karnataka. At the end of last year, it had more than 350,000 users and 30,000+ drivers.
More news from UAE
Temperature will reach up to 36ºC and 37ºC in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, respectively
When the water could finally be cleared, almost half their stock of 20,000 books had been destroyed
The church has been built on 4.37 acres of land, and stands opposite the BAPS Hindu temple
Photonics is the study of light and has several applications including LED, VR, holograms, high-speed internet and solar panels among other things
They have been carrying out rescue operations for the last four years, drawing on their extensive experience in saving people from desert terrain
Doctors urge residents to take such situations seriously: 'Sharp objects can pierce the food pipe and can migrate into areas like the chest, causing further complications,' an expert says
We matchmade people within the same buildings so they could stay safely inside and share resources, Rana Hajirasouli, founder of the company, said
