Chinese firm becomes Dubai’s seventh taxi franchise

China’s Oneroad Taxi became Dubai’s seventh taxi franchise on Wednesday after beginning operations.

Gulf News reports that the company unveiled its first batch of taxis the previous day at its Al Quoz depot.

It has a starting fleet of 100 Toyota Camrys with plans to add Chinese Hongqi H7 and H5 luxury vehicles as part of a wider expansion involving at least 2,000 taxis, limousines, ladies’ taxis and special needs taxis by 2020.

Oneroad general manager Kevin Luo told the publication that the company would launch its own booking app in the coming weeks.

The new franchise comes under an expansion plan by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) to meet demand for taxi services during the lead up to Expo 2020.

“The demand for taxis is increasing, and we are gradually increasing the fleet in the run up to Expo 2020, more taxis will be added next year,” RTA Public Transport Agency director of business planning Mohammad Abubaker Al Hashemi was quoted as saying.

It is expected that around 2,500 taxis will be dedicated to the expo.

With the latest additions, there are now 10,834 taxis operating in Dubai. Authorities are planning to introduce free wifi on the entire fleet under a deal announced in October.

Read: Dubai to provide free wifi onboard all its 10,800 taxis