Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has approved a five-year plan to grow the size of Dubai Taxi Corporation’s (DTC) fleet by 40%.
The Dubai Taxi Corporation Projects & Investment Initiatives 2016-2021 strategy will see DTC’s fleet increase from 5,000 vehicles (2015) to 7,000 vehicles by 2021.
The initiative has been designed to develop advanced transit systems in the emirate, according to the UAE’s state news agency, WAM.
HE Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the RTA’s board of executive directors, told the UAE’s state news agency, WAM: “The number of limousines is set to leapfrog by as much as 340%, from 113 vehicles in 2015 to 500 vehicles by 2021.
“The larger number of taxicabs is required to cater to the growing needs of customers, comprising residents and visitors, as well as the requirements of hosting the Expo 2020 in Dubai.”
The plan will involve the conversion of half of DTC’s fleet into hybrid vehicles by 2021, according to HE Al Tayer. The push for hybrid vehicles will be conducted in line with Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Green Economy’s (DSCE) strategy to reduce the taxi sector’s carbon emissions by 2%.
“This step is prompted by the deregulation of fuel prices, and the reduced lifespan of hybrid vehicles compared with conventional vehicles,” HE Al Tayer continued. “Thus, the number of hybrid vehicles at the disposal of DTC would soar from 145 in 2015 to 2,280 vehicles in 2021.”
The RTA also revealed plans to encourage the use of public transport options among school pupils.
“The RTA is determined to overhaul the school transport sector with a view to offering safe and smooth mobility for all students of various ages, and playing a leading role in delivering premium transit services for students in a safe environment,” explained HE Al Tayer.
“Our intention is also to encourage parents to have their wards transported by school buses rather than private vehicles, support the UAE education strategy 2020, improve the calibre of [the] school transport service in Dubai, and strike a balance between supply and demand in the sector,” he noted.
This portion of the RTA’s five-year plan will involve the provision of eco-friendly buses fitted with sophisticated technologies, which correspond to the Dubai Smart Government (DSG) initiative.
The number of school buses in operation will rise from 117 in 2015 to more than 650 by 2020; an increase of more than 450%.
