The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a cooperation agreement with Careem Networks Company, the leading provider of online booking of limousine and taxi services, whereby Careem will provide passenger transport service on limousines or taxis online or via a smart app.
The service, which will be in accordance with the laws applicable to taxi and limousine services in the Emirate, will run using about 9,841 taxicabs and 4,700 limousines.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA and Mudassir Sheikha, Founder and Managing Director of Careem, signed the agreement on behalf of the two respective entities. RTA executives attending the signing were Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, Member of Board of Executive Directors, Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, CEO of Public Transport Agency, and Adel Shakri, Director of Transportation Systems. From Careem attended Bassel Al Nahlaoui, VP of Business Development & Government Relations.
“Undertaking this initiative stems from RTA’s keenness to implement the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President & Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the world’s smartest city, bring happiness to people, deliver excellent services to tourists and enhance customers experience. The smartest city envisioned by HH is a city that considers the comfort & luxury of residents a top priority, and delivers technology-driven highly efficient services, as the smart transportation is one of the key pillars of smart cities.
This Agreement supports the integrated mobility platform project currently undertaken by RTA in Dubai. The Platform provides customers an easy access to all transit means in Dubai through a single window (smart app). In this transit hub, RTA’s multi-modal transit systems (metro, tram, buses, marine transit means, and taxis) will be integrated with transit systems of other entities in Dubai such as limo service providers, Palm Monorail, and Dubai Trolley. RTA intends to enhance the partnership with the private sector and invites all online booking companies to join this drive aimed at realizing the objective of delivering smart services to customers.
Mudassir Sheikha, Founder and Managing Director of Careem, welcomed the cooperation and partnership with RTA. He stated that the Agreement would enhance Careem’s presence in Dubai market through offering integrated transport solutions enabling clients safe & reliable mobility options.
“The partnership with RTA is a huge stride for Careem, and we are keen on supporting RTA’s efforts towards developing smooth mobility solutions for customers.
“Four years ago, we decided to establish Careem to expedite the setup of a technological infrastructure relating to online booking of mobility systems in the Middle East with a view of making life easier, and offering integrated transport solutions,” added Mudassir.