Dubai launches new taxi system to reduce waiting time at events, conferences

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is launching a new taxi system to reduce waiting time for customers at the venues of events such as exhibitions and conferences.

The Smart Time Management system (STMS) will enable the RTA to get real time data on numbers of visitors and accordingly deploy the appropriate number of taxis to the venue, a statement said.

It also enables passengers to get information on the number of available vehicles along with the expected waiting time.

The system includes screens placed at the start, middle and end of the queue, a device for counting visitors and sorting out the type of service required at the start of the queue, and a device to measure customers’ satisfaction rating.

Cameras to read the number plates of taxis will also be placed at the entry and exit points of the event, along with horizontal cameras for remote monitoring of the event. They will be linked to a computer server.

The system has already been tested in two events held at the Dubai World Trade Center for seven days with a total of about 12,000 users benefitting from it, the RTA said.

The system has also been tested in one of the Dubai Mall entry points for two days.

“Results of both trials showed a drop in the waiting time for taxi riders and a rise in customers’ satisfaction rating,” the statement added.

Taxis in Dubai picked up 87.849 million passengers in the first half of this year.

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the RTA, said that the new system supports Dubai’s smart city drive and its aim to become the smartest city in the world.

“To realise these objectives, RTA is seeking to deliver services that exceed customers’ expectations and make them happier. RTA is keen to continue improving customer services and reducing the waiting time in line with the world’s top practices,” he said.

Dubai is seeing an increase in the number of events it hosts – touching more than 500 per year.

Last week the city’s official convention bureau Dubai Business Events (DBE) announced 125 successful bids to host business events in the first half of 2018, a 29 per cent increase from the same period last year.

Conferences, meetings and incentive programmes secured in the first six months of the year, including from bids submitted in previous years, are expected to attract over 65,000 delegates from around the world, resulting in an expected economic impact of approximately Dhs500m, a statement said.