Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai on Sunday said the number of taxi fare transactions recorded by the Dubai Taxi Corporation and franchise taxi companies topped 2.2 million transactions last year.

The figure relates to transactions paid through nol and credit cards, and represents a 731 per cent increase compared to 2016.

Adel Shakri, director of transportation systems at RTA’s Public Transport Agency, said: “The introduction of new technologies for payment of taxi fare through nol and credit cards could be possible thanks to the coordination with the Network International Company; the supplier of e-payment devices fitted to taxicabs.”

Public acceptance

He added: “The hike in transactions from 266,330 in 2016 to 2,213,234 in 2017 is indicative of the remarkable public acceptance of these e-payment means as they are smooth and sophisticated.

"It also reflects our efforts in supporting the Smart City initiative of our government, and contributes to the delivery of our first and third strategic goals: Smart Dubai and People Happiness,” he added.

“The number of transactions paid using nol cards leapfrogged from 13,904 transactions in 2016 to 140,115 transactions in 2017, whereas transactions processed using credit cards has vaulted from 252,426 transactions in 2016 to 2,073,119 transactions in 2017.”

Shakri said: “In the context of its policy of urging taxi drivers to encourage passengers to use nol or credit cards in payment of their taxi fares, the RTA has rewarded drivers who contributed to the enhanced use of those two e-payment methods.

"The underlying objective is to foster a competitive spirit between cab drivers in motivating riders to use those two cards; which eases the lacking change problems associated with cash payments.”