Many thanks to a new pilot project undertaken by the Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in final phase of which has been launched a “Car Sharing” new entertaining service, valid for passengers who are willing to traveling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi or return trip that can cut the cost of service up to 75%. People can now shared taxis between Ibn Battuta Centre in Dubai and Al Wahda Centre in Abu Dhabi, at a cost of as low as AED66 ($18) per head if there are four passengers.
The six-month pilot by Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at RTA’s Public Transport Agency was to grant the populace a cheap, quick and green means of transport. Shakri added that both the sites were chosen hence their closeness to principal artery of public transport and major car parks to ease passengers’ link.
This new service allows passengers to pay via bank or nol cards and offers flexible pricing based on the number of riders: AED132 ($36) per person if two riders and AED88 ($24) per person for the three. Through shared rides, the program seeks to work towards decreasing traffic in the cities as well as emission of carbon and control of unathorized transport between the cities.
Some of the features used in the design of RTA shared taxis include: Security technology such as; RTA cameras connected to the Operations Control Centre and driver’s monitoring systems to guarantee safe and comfortable roads for the clients. If so much is the success of the pilot then the RTA may perhaps look for other areas for the service extending a further shift to sustainability of transport in Dubai.
