Finally, RTA and the Taxi Agency came to their senses. Taxi woes account for much of the griping in Dubai, right behind cost of housing and traffic. Due to the sub-par public transport and the great difficulty people have to go through to get a driving licence here. When Salik was implemented on Maktoum Bridge, I saw my taxi fare to visit my cousin or sister across the creek jump by a third. And that's if I got a taxi; they are notorious for asking your destination before letting you in, so they can avoid traffic or take passengers to some far-off uptown area.
Well now it's bye-bye Salik for taxi passengers, and taxis will also be alloted exclusively for old town zones that would normally elicit grunts of displeasure from cabbies. Now if they could just take it a little further and eliminate Salik charges for large buses and motorcycles, as these actually improve the traffic situation. But for what they're doing so far, good show!
Why is it so difficult Sohan ? Too expansive ?
ReplyDeleteIndirectly. Getting a license here requires a few retries on the test, usually. Between retries, several mandatory classes need to be taken at an accredited driving school, and these cost money.
ReplyDeleteCan you 'buy' a license in Dubai?
ReplyDeleteThere probably are ways to push people through. If not with money, then with family connections.
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