One of the easiest (and most convenient) ways to get around the city is to use a taxi. It can get quite expensive, though; the meter in most locations starts at Dhs12 and spikes during rush hour. But if cab expenses are getting you down, don’t worry. There is a new auction-based taxi hailing service being rolled out in Dubai this month, which could end up reducing your fares.
Drife will be the UAE’s first decentralised ride-hailing system. That means, it will allow you to see what different cabbies will charge you for the ride so you can pick the one that suits you best. Drivers can start the meter with a standard fare or choose to charge a premium (or offer you a discount). No commission is paid to anyone, so it’s a win-win for everyone.
Empowering Drivers and Customers
“We are the first subscription-based ride-hailing service in the UAE. We want to empower the drivers by decentralising the system and allowing them more control over their fares,” Firdosh Sheikh, founder of Drife, told Time Out.
To use the platform, the drivers will pay a subscription fee to Drife. Both the app and the company website will go online later this month. To begin with, 100 limousines from a private company will be enlisted. Later, Sheikh hopes to work with RTA cabs. She calls the model ‘taxi 3.0 services’ and says both the driver and customer benefit.
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Drife began its journey in India in 2023. By the end of the year, it had 30,000 drivers on board.
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