Taxi shortage hits Dubai commuters during evenings

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By Sharmila Dhal, Chief Reporter  www.gulfnews.com

Dubai: Residents using public transport in Dubai are crying foul over the lack of taxis during the evening hours as taxi drivers refuse to pick them up on the pretext of changing shifts.

“It’s almost impossible to get a taxi between 4pm and 5.30pm in Dubai. I face this problem every day after work,” said Sara, who works on Al Wasl Road and takes taxis to her Deira home.

Mala Shankar, a housewife who recently visited a clinic on Jumeirah Beach Road, recounted her ‘endless wait’ for a taxi in the summer heat. “I waited for a taxi from 3.40pm to around 5pm, but without any luck. I felt so helpless. I walked up to the nearest bus stop which was 10 minutes away and boarded the first bus. I didn’t care where it went, as I just wanted to get out of that area and reach Deira where I live,” she said.

Authorities, however, told XPRESS taxi operators are expected to make 90 per cent of their fleet available on the road at any given time of the day. More info