RTA approves services and development projects for Dubai Taxi

Dubai Taxi Corporation’s (DTC) projects and services, which involve increasing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and automating processes, have been apporved and endorsed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general (DG), and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA explained that the approved projects include the ‘Smart Direction’ of taxis system, which involved the use of AI to analyse big data to automatically direct taxis to the highest demand spots as indicated by the demand forecast system. The project aims to reduce the consumption of fuel and increase the number of journeys per vehicle.

During a meeting with DTC employees, Al Tayer said: “The approved projects include robotic process automation (RPA), which will improve the operational efficiency of vehicles by three per cent, increase the accuracy of data and forecast of areas with the highest demand by 10 per cent, cut the trip time and increase the percentage of productive kilometres. It will also increase the rate of trip acceptance by 15 per cent, and reduce the cost of human resources by 20 per cent.

“The portfolio of projects includes deploying the ‘Smart Distribution’ of taxis and Tesla vehicles system, automating the collection of daily revenues of limousine services (Uber and Careem), undertaking preventive maintenance measures for taxis, distributing booking requests according to the capacity of the battery of Tesla vehicles, and sending notifications to drivers when batteries are due for charging.”

The ‘Smart Collection’ project aims to deliver smart, digital and sustainable services to drivers through streamlining the collection procedures, enhancing operational efficiency, and nurturing an environment attractive to them. It also aims to increase the operational efficiency of vehicles, increase the number of journeys, reduce maintenance and fuel costs, facilitate procedures for drivers, develop digital solutions for transactions and provide service round the clock.

Al Tayer emphasised DTC’s commitment to overhauling the taxi sector in Dubai by employing artificial intelligence and smart systems to enhance performance and customer satisfaction. “The process entails beefing up the fleet of taxis and limos, enhancing the integration of transportation means and providing mobility services featuring a range of comfort and care options to match the rapid growth of the emirate and ease the mobility of mass transit riders to their final destinations.”

RTA’s DG also was presented with DTC’s commercial companies and investment plan to utilise growth opportunities and enhance profitability. In H1 2022, DTC generated Dhs118m in profits and signed seven commercial agreements for taxis, limos and buses. Other areas that were reviewed were reshaping and upgrading services and the 2021-2023 roadmap to improve Dubai Airports’ services.

Al Tayer also inspected the Tesla Model 3 vehicle, which has been added to DTC’s taxi fleet to expand the use of eco-friendly vehicles. He also inspected the 236 newly deployed school buses comprising 52-seater and 36-seater categories. The buses are equipped with the latest security apparatus, including indoor and outdoor cameras, a student inspection system, motion detectors, and an automatic fire extinguishing system.

In other news, RTA recently announced the launch of the ‘Click and Drive’ initiative, which aims to help customers with activities ranging from “reengineering” their journeys to helping them obtain driver’s licenses.

Read: Dubai’s RTA announces launch of ‘Click and Drive’ initiative to enhance digital services