Abu Dhabi: Residents say taxis are charging double fares when two people share a cab in Abu Dhabi.
Passengers are being charged two minimum fares of Dh10 because the cab driver restarts the metre after a co-passenger alights mid-journey.
“My friend and I took a cab from Dusit Thani Hotel to Khalifa Street. I told him my location, but said my friend would get down on Electra Street. Instead of charging me one full fare for the whole trip, the cabbie gave me a Dh14 bill when my friend got off. He then restarted the metre at Dh10 when he resumed the journey. So I ended up paying Dh24,” said Jennie Megan, an American expat living in Abu Dhabi.
Megan who works for a semi government company, said she argued with the cabbie but he said he was following instructions from his company TransAD, that manages taxis in the capital.
TransAd taxis charge a minimum fare of Dh10 for trips after 10pm. During daytime, the minimum metre charge is Dh4.
Another resident, P. Shivaram, an electrical engineer living near Airport Road said he was also charged double when he shared a cab with friends. “My friend had to pay Dh34 because the cab driver switched off the metre and produced a bill when I got down. The metre resumed at Dh10 minimum fare when my friend continued the journey,” said Shivaram.
A customer service agent at TransAD said drivers are pulling a fast one on customers and urged passengers to call the toll free number 600 53 5353 if they are charged double fares for the same trip. “The rule is very clear. Taxis cannot charge two separate fares when one of the passengers alights mid-journey,” said the agent.
He said many taxi drivers are probably confused due to an earlier rule that made it mandatory to restart the metre every time they stopped the car during a trip.
“That rule has changed now. But many drivers are not aware about the change in the old rule. That is why they are charging two fares when the cab stops for one of the passengers,” he explained.
