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Dubai RTA adds over 1,500 new hybrid vehicles to taxi fleet

Posted: 14 January 2022 | | No comments yet

In line the 2021-2023 Strategic Plan of the Dubai Taxi Corporation, the Roads and Transport Authority has signed a contract to add 2,219 new vehicles to the Dubai Taxi fleet, including 1,775 hybrid vehicles.

Dubai RTA adds over 1,500 new hybrid vehicles to taxi fleet

Credit: Roads and Transport Authority

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that it has signed a contract for the procurement of 2,219 new vehicles to enhance the fleet of the Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC). The new batch includes 1,775 hybrid vehicles – increasing the total number of hybrid vehicles in the fleet to 4,105 vehicles.

His Excellency Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, stressed RTA’s commitment to uplifting Dubai’s transport services, introducing modern technologies and smart systems to taxis, boosting the performance efficiency of the sector, and bringing happiness to customers.

“RTA is also keen to scale up the taxi and limo fleet to keep pace with the fast development seen by Dubai and support the integration of mass transit networks to make it easier for commuters to reach their final destinations,” said His Excellency Al Tayer.

“The procurement of new vehicles is in line with DTC’s efforts to uplift the calibre of Dubai taxi services and deliver a unique taxi experience that eases the mobility of residents and tourists. The step contributes to providing diverse service options characterised by comfort and care in stylish vehicles across a wide spectrum of taxi services including limousine, airport taxis and women and family taxis, among others. It also consolidates the efforts to fulfil customer needs through sustained improvement and the delivery of top-notch services via diverse channels, with a special focus on smart platforms,” he added. 

“Investing in hybrid vehicles is a response to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, to save power consumption in all development projects across the nation. It also fits with the commitment to the masterplan for curbing carbon emissions of taxis by two per cent as stipulated by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and the migration to the Green Economy. The move also contributes to realising RTA’s strategic goal (Safety and Environmental Sustainability), and supporting the government’s green economy drive,” explained Al Tayer. 

The Strategic Plan of DTC (2021-2023) encompasses 51 initiatives based on key pillars highlighted by increasing the market share of DTC taxis from the existing 41.5 per cent to 44 per cent by 2023 and increasing the market share of limousine under the e-hail apps from the existing 8.5 per cent to 12 per cent by 2023. It also seeks to increase the journeys of taxis through the same apps from 14 per cent to 16 per cent. 

Furthermore, the plan envisages transforming five per cent of the taxi fleet to autonomous vehicles by 2023 and increasing the proportion of eco-friendly vehicles to as much as 56 per cent. As part of the financial sustainability pillar, the plan calls for saving expenses, promoting operational and non-operational revenues and boosting the number of taxis deployed at the Dubai airports to achieve an outstanding operational level.