By Shafaat Ahmed www.khaleejtimes.com
DUBAI – Further enhancing its services through its fleet of around 4,000 vehicles, the Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) will this month launch two newly redesigned taxis to serve a special section of the society.
The DTC’s specially designed taxis have been serving the people with special needs for nearly a decade now, but the RTA-managed taxi company feels it’s about time to bring in some changes that would improve the service as well as enhance the comfort and safety levels of the costumers.
As the DTC prepares the vehicles for an official launch by the end of this month, Khaleej Times got exclusive bits of information on what is to expect.
From the redesigned seating and wheel chair fastening facilities to a more cozy and colourful interior, the special needs taxis would see some dramatic changes from inside. There will be LCD screens to keep the costumer entertained, while the interior would be designed on environmentally-friendly artistic themes.
With a companion to go along a person of special needs, the seating capacity of the vehicles will remain the same.
Speaking exclusively with Khaleej Times about the enhanced service the DTC’s CEO, Abdul Aziz Malek, said that DTC, which is a part of RTA, as a policy keeps looking for avenues to improve its service for costumers.
“We keep reviewing all our services time and again. Though we operate only two special needs taxis, it is one of our most valued services. We have been running it as it is for long and it was time to bring in some changes and modernise the facilities,” said Malek, delving on the reasons for change.
The DTC is the only company to operate specially designed taxis for people with disabilities in the entire Middle East and one of the reasons behind having the taxis redesigned is to maintain its premiere position by offering the best to the costumers. Dozens of people, who otherwise have no choice of mobility use the special needs taxis daily for a variety of reasons.
“There are people who can’t get into normal cars, and there others who are forever wheelchair-bound, our big and specially designed vehicles are spacious enough for them to get in with their wheelchairs. Plus with the use of latest technology it is very safe and secure,” added Malek, elaborating on the services rendered by the special vehicles
However, the improved services won’t have any effect on the fare which will remain the same.
A special needs taxi can be booked in advance by dialing the RTA’s customer care number. Meter starts with Dh6 either it is pre-booked or hired on the road during day time, while between 10pm and 6am the minimum charge is Dh7. If hired from the airport, the meter starts, like all big-sized airport taxis, from Dh25.
