Support for taxi-sharing potential

An app is used to book a Dubai taxi through Uber on a smart phone. The UberPool model, where commuters share a ride, and subsequently the cost, is not available in the UAE. Antonie Robertson / The NatShow more

ABU DHABI // Private car service operators Uber and Careem say they are open to providing taxi sharing to make travel more affordable if government regulations allow for it.

At present, many commuters use illegal taxis that they say are cheaper and more convenient than licensed taxis and buses.

Abu Dhabi taxi regulator TransAD, however, has warned the public not to use illegal taxis because they lack safety equipment and may be uninsured.

A taxi-sharing scheme could be introduced in Abu Dhabi to address the growing demand for such a service.

Glenn Havinoviski, associate vice president of the US traffic management company Iteris, said having a minivan-shared service featuring modern and safe vehicles was a good option for areas where bus service was not convenient or where service was limited.

The fare to Mussaffah or Khalifa City A, for example, is Dh4 on buses operated by the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport. The drawback is that the journey can take up to two hours.

“One option is for TransAD to engage in a partnership with Uber to provide this service, and perhaps subsidise rides or start-up costs to assure that proper vehicles and drivers are used,” Mr Havinoviski said.

“When the private sector can do these things unfettered, or with minimum red tape, you will be amazed how quickly things can be implemented.”

UberPool users share cab rides with others going to the same destination or in the same direction.

“We would love to bring the UberPool model to Abu Dhabi and the UAE, if the regulations allow for it,” said Chris Free, Uber’s general manager in the UAE.

“The way UberPool works is that we use our technology to match requesting passengers heading the same way so they can share a car and save money on their journey.”

Unlicensed cabs currently offer fares for as little as Dh10, compared to at least Dh50 for a one-way trip from Abu Dhabi to Mussaffah and Dh120 to Baniyas in a registered vehicle.

Mr Free said while it would be difficult to determine what the right fare might be the company would keep it as low as possible.

Careem, an app-based chauffeur driven car service, said it was “open to ideas and concepts that make transportation easier” such as a taxi-serving service.

“Our goal is to simplify people’s lives and we’re always looking for ways to co-innovate to help solve some of today’s mass transit problems,” said Bassel Al Nahlaoui, vice president of business development at Careem. “We always bring services to markets that are built around a deep understanding of local needs.”

Last month, Careem announced it was teaming up with US company Next Future Transportation to launch the region’s first driverless pods for public transit. The partners hope to begin testing later this year.

“This will see driver-less pods providing personalised pick-up and drop-off of users with the aim to help make the daily commutes of all UAE citizens more efficient and quick,” he said.

With the acute parking shortage in Abu Dhabi, shared ride services could be an alternative to car ownership. It would also allow commuters to save money on petrol and ease traffic during peak hours.

Dr Gaye Miranda, 56, a veterinarian in Abu Dhabi who started using Uber this month, said she does not mind sharing.

“Residents are often struggling to find a parking spot in Abu Dhabi so I think this service is a good idea,” she said.

“At the moment, I share an Uber ride with a colleague and we both feel safe in a seven-seater car that does not have tinted windows.”