DUBAI // Carpool Arabia, the community ride-share website, operates within the rules of the Dubai Government’s car-pooling campaign.
But participants could find themselves in hot water if they do not register with the Roads and Transport Authority beforehand.
The RTA’s Sharekni website allows drivers to register for and agree to the guidelines established for car-pooling in Dubai.
The site’s main purpose is to avoid what Dubai Police call passenger smuggling, or charging people for rides. Breaches can cost up to Dh4,000 in fines.
But websites such as Carpool Arabia ride a fine line by letting users set up their routes and charge only for gas and car maintenance.
“The contribution you make is not for profit,” said Benjamin de Terssac, co-founder of the site.
“We urge users to register on Sharekni but if you car-pool with family, coworkers and friends, or people from your community, then you don’t have to register.”
Mr de Terssac’s site allows users to create profiles with the details of their trips and post availability for passengers.
With ladies-only options, community integration and even a free Ramadan option, Carpool Arabia is hoping to overcome preconceived notions against sharing rides. But it fails to completely address concerns over legality.
The website gives users the option to charge their passengers, which according to the RTA is legal as long as it is not for profit.
However, users must sign up with Sharekni before they use a site such as Carpool Arabia, which is not yet recognised by the RTA.
“This is an unregulated website promoting car-pooling within Dubai,” said a representative from the RTA. “Users are still required to get an RTA licence to travel in order to affiliate with RTA’s requirement.”
But outside Dubai, charging a fee to share a ride makes a car owner an illegal taxi operator.
By advertising for passengers throughout the UAE, users are driving through uncharted territory, with no clear guidelines or laws differentiating between car-pooling and passenger smuggling.
“Based on our research it was very difficult to find something on car-pooling in Sharjah. Even in the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi there was nothing,” Mr de Terssac said. “The only policy I found was for RTA in Dubai.”
Mr de Terssac and his partner, Guillaume Arnaud, did not seek approval from the RTA or other government agencies because they believed they were working within the framework of the regulations to show that car-pooling is safe and good for the environment.
“Illegal taxi drivers will drive you anywhere for a price. Users on our website can’t do that,” Mr de Terssac said.
“They post destinations that they are already going to and ask people to join them if they are also going to the same place.”
nalwasmi@thenational.ae
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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if you go
The flights
Emirates fly direct from Dubai to Houston, Texas, where United have direct flights to Managua. Alternatively, from October, Iberia will offer connections from Madrid, which can be reached by both Etihad from Abu Dhabi and Emirates from Dubai.
The trip
Geodyssey’s (Geodyssey.co.uk) 15-night Nicaragua Odyssey visits the colonial cities of Leon and Granada, lively country villages, the lake island of Ometepe and a stunning array of landscapes, with wildlife, history, creative crafts and more. From Dh18,500 per person, based on two sharing, including transfers and tours but excluding international flights. For more information, visit visitnicaragua.us.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
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