Where have all the taxis gone?
What has happened to Dubai’s once-excellent taxi service?! Taxis used to reliably arrive here in Emirates Hills within 10 minutes of my phoning in a booking.
But in the past two months, taxis never arrived for three of my bookings, and the two that did arrive came more than an hour after they were booked. When I walk out to the main road through the Meadows, there are many unoccupied taxis passing by which I’m able to flag down.
That’s fine in winter, but it won’t be an option in summer. So, what has changed in the taxi booking service? What are the authorities doing to restore Dubai’s once-reliable taxi service?
-
Got an opinion? Send your letter to letters@7days.ae
If it doesn’t improve soon, I will be forced to buy another car. I can’t afford to rely on taxis which never arrive.
Marooned in Meadows
Dubai
Comments
by duffs
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 2:54PM
“We were fortunate to get lifted on the side of the road by a taxi man on new years day who took all of us to two different locations at opposite end of the town. When we asked about the lacking taxis he informed us that the taxi men have sales targets and once they have reached this they go off duty. Not sure how this runs mid month as the taxi service as not improved!”
by Mallking
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 8:13AM
“I booked a cab to get to my xmas party on the 20th December....I am still waiting....”
by indrani.bose
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 8:35AM
“Taxi service is extremely reliable and I so miss the prompt taxi services experienced back home India and in Scotland!
I have given up hope in calling them and waiting for the drivers calls and upon calling for complaining no one seems to bother too.
Have been let down 4 times in last couple of months....”
by JosieZA
Monday, January 07 2013, 7:51PM
“Rob - please provide more info about this company. I do not want to fill out a form that adds my details to a database. thanks”
by readytoparty
Monday, January 07 2013, 12:34PM
“The taxi service in Dubai has become a joke we phone for a taxi then phone again when it does not turn up wait a bit longer then phone to cancel it after a 1 hour wait sometimes, call this public transport!!!!”
by Conor Archer
Monday, January 07 2013, 11:56AM
“Ive noticed this the last 3 months. My mum has been left waiting over an hour and a half every time she ordered a taxi. Before we would have to wait 15 minutes tops. Even taxi that she has pre-booked for specific time come an hour or two late. I live in garhoud so the issue is not just around the emirates hills area!!”
by Rob Canning
Monday, January 07 2013, 11:50AM
“There is a new service in Dubai which is just starting up, they are a bit more than Dubai Transport but they are 100% reliable and there customer service is amazing! You need to sign up and get on the waiting list and they will add more and more people as they grow. Use the below link and you will also get 30dhs free credit!
http://tinyurl.com/bcxbs3z”