Uber returns to Abu Dhabi after a two-year hiatus with new services.
Companies managing Uber and Careem taxi booking applications are expanding significantly in Abu Dhabi after negotiations with local transportation authorities.
Successful negotiations have led the international company Uber to return to the emirate after a two-year break. In addition, Uber announces the creation of a new private taxi fleet in which UAE citizens will work. The cost of the service will be comparable to the prices in a standard taxi. Drivers will be able to earn extra money in a taxi in their free time. According to this model, Uber works almost all over the world.
In the future, the opportunity to work for themselves in a taxi will be provided to drivers who are not citizens of the United Arab Emirates. It is expected that the new service will be available early next year.
According to the rules in force in the UAE, the cost of traveling in a private taxi should be more expensive than in a taxi owned by one of the state-owned companies. Under the new rules, this gap is narrowing significantly, but now customers who want to order standard Uber cars will have to pay about a third more.
Meanwhile, Uber's regional competitor, Careem, is also recruiting Emirates for part-time taxi jobs. In this program, in addition to citizens of the United Arab Emirates, children of UAE who do not have UAE citizenship can participate. The program includes training in driving skills, customer service, the use of technological services.
The cost of a taxi will be comparable to the standard offer - from 12 dirhams ($ US 3.2) per landing and the same standard cost per kilometer.
Representatives of transport authorities said the new initiative will create new opportunities for taxi reservations and employment for local residents.
