Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) says it will add over 3,200 new taxis to its fleet by 2020, reflecting a 34% increase in the current capacity.
In line with a five-year plan, the government body plans to add 3,268 taxicabs to the Dubai Taxi fleet between 2016 and 2020. The plan will see the number of taxis operating in Dubai rise from 9,497 in 2015 to 12,765 vehicles by 2020.
The decision to increase the number of taxicabs comes in response to rising demand in the emirate, as outlined in a study conducted by the RTA, said Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the transport authority.
“The study compiled by the RTA was based on a number of indicators such as the availability of taxicabs, and the number of productive kilometers compared with the number of kilometers covered by taxicabs,” Al Tayer said.
“The five-year plan sets the planned additions of vehicles to the fleet as follows: 880 vehicles in 2016, 552 vehicles in 2017, 580 vehicles in 2018, 612 vehicles in 2019, and 644 vehicles in 2020.”
Last year, the RTA launched a Drivers Qualification Center at Al Ruwayia, the first specialized centre for training taxi drivers and chauffeurs operating in Dubai. It is aimed at improving traffic safety levels and the quality of services offered to taxi riders.
