Shortage of taxis leaves residents hot under the collar in Abu Dhabi

Shortage of taxis leaves residents hot under the collar in Abu Dhabi By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: September 18, 2007, 23:50

Abu Dhabi: Residents in Abu Dhabi have complained they are unable to get taxis on the city's roads. Many say they are compelled to wait for taxis for a long time in the scorching summer heat.

Residents said even if they come across taxis, the drivers refuse to take certain routes. Manzoor Talibi, 25, an Iranian national said for a 10 minute journey he had to wait 45 minutes at Hamdan Street.

"Taxis are not available and most of the taxis refuse to drive to my destination. Besides, taxis also smell. Cleanliness has to be improved."

Other residents complained that taxis are shuttling between the city and some suburbs to make more money. Diab Mousa, 50, an Iraqi Engineer said taxis are doing a "sharing shuttle service" to Mussafah and Baniyas, hence there is a shortage of taxis in the city.

"When the old buildings in the city were demolished, hundreds of people shifted to the suburbs and small towns. Taxi drivers are cashing in on such people who have to travel to the city for work," said Mousa.

He suggested the introduction of an effective public bus service as a permanent solution. Moidooty, 40, an Indian X-ray technician who frequently travels between the city and Mussafah echoed the same opinion. He said shared taxis demand double the fares during the weekend.

Sajeev Mangalam, 30 an Indian salesman said, "Some taxi drivers don't stop even when people ask them to. Their careless driving is also dangerous."

Abdul Aziz, 47, an Indian real estate firm owner explained, "There is more demand for taxis in the city because more expatriates are coming to the emirate in the wake of a development boom. That's why there is an acute shortage of taxis and the authorities have to take remedial steps."

Taxi drivers refuted the allegations against them. Mohammad Hussain, 35, a Pakistani taxi driver said the number of passengers in the city has been increasing but the number of taxis is static.

His compatriot Shahid Hassan, 46, said the authorities have to give a licence to more taxis to solve the problem.

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