The RTA announced the formation of a new company in partnership with ride-hailing business Careem. Pawan Singh / The National
The RTA announced the formation of a new company in partnership with ride-hailing business Careem. Pawan Singh / The National

Careem and RTA launch joint venture in Dubai



Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority has formed a company with the popular ride-hailing app Careem.

The new business, which will start in April next year, will allow users to book one of the authority’s 10,843 taxis through an app.

The name and logo of the company will be made public in the coming months.

Mattar Al Tayer, the authority’s director general, said the partnership would bring together the public and private sectors to create the best possible service for the people of Dubai.

“We have been working on this project for the past year, which is the first of its kind worldwide between a government transport authority and a private entity specialising in the taxi e-hail business,” Mr Al Tayer said.

“The e-hail model has become the most effective tool in matching supply with demand and offers clients a smooth experience when it comes to obtaining taxis.”

He said the company would allow customers to have more options with a single smartphone app rather than different apps for separate companies.

“This will raise the efficiency of taxis in Dubai through the enhancement of accessibility to vehicles via online booking and reduces the expected waiting time for vehicles,” Mr Al Tayer said.

“It will also allow clients to make direct online payments via the app and share the ride with others.”

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Read more:

Dubai's frustrated commuters look to scooters to beat the traffic

Uber to return to Abu Dhabi and launch new Emirati driver service alongside Careem 

Careem to match Dubai's RTA service in new low-cost service

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He said standard RTA taxi prices would apply.

“Entering into this exciting public-private partnership with the RTA will allow us to use that technology to make Dubai’s sophisticated transport infrastructure even more accessible and convenient,” Careem co-founder Mudassir Sheikha said.

“Combining our technology capability with the RTA’s vast industry knowledge will help to build a platform that delivers broader choice, optimum customer experience and reliable, safe transport for ­everyone.”

Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

PROFILE

Name: Enhance Fitness 

Year started: 2018 

Based: UAE 

Employees: 200 

Amount raised: $3m 

Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors 

TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

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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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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Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush

Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”

A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.

“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”

What is Diwali?

The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.

According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.

In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.  

 


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