DUBAI — The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the franchisee taxi companies have planned to upgrade public transport services and performance standards, according to a press release yesterday.

Under the agreement signed by Dubai Taxi AgencyDubai Taxi Agency and its franchisee companies Cars, Al Arabia, Metro, National, Citi Taxi and Hatta Taxi, there will be a six-month probationary period, after which the Public Transport AgencyPublic Transport Agency and the taxi companies will evaluate the results against the agreement's objectives.

The RTA Public Transport AgencyRTA Public Transport Agency CEO, Abdul Rahman Al Dossari, said the agreement would benefit all companies and enhance the image of Dubai.

"The key objective of signing this agreement revolves around the concept of improving key performance indicators and upgrading the level of service rendered by franchisee companies to the public, including citizens, residents, visitors, tourists and various sectors of the community in the emirate of Dubai," Al Dossari said.

"The objective of providing such a service shall not be confined to making profits. It shall seek to provide every convenience to the public and achieve higher standards of excellence by adopting enhanced quality, safety and service level standards."

The agreement also encourages taxi companies to take part in training courses being developed by the PTAPTA and Dubai Taxi AgencyDubai Taxi Agency.

Al Dossari said performance benchmarks had been based on surveys of commuters' feedback. It also included the type and condition of vehicles, safety, security, comfort and luxury.

"Some aspects are related to drivers, such as attitude towards passengers, personal hygiene, safety, security and attending to passenger comfort and luxury. Other aspects are related to operations, service, availability of vehicles and reliability on the driver to make an accident-free trip," said Al Dossari .

Abdullah Sultan Al Sabbag, Director-General of CARS Taxi Co., stressed the importance of the agreement as it sets higher standards of quality, and as it is the first-ever of its kind across the globe.

"We praise the initiative of Al Dossari signalling RTARTA consent to train drivers of franchise companies. I hope that this agreement will form a formidable beginning and an advanced step towards stronger cooperation ties with the RTARTA in future," he said.

Tawfeeq Metri, Director-General of National Taxi Co, described the agreement by saying: "It is definitely a gesture of goodwill from the RTARTA towards franchise companies. It is a step forward in this field and a great incentive to franchise companies to upgrade their business and level of services rendered to the public," he said.

Representatives of the companies will also take part in an RTARTA delegation to visit Singapore and review the city's public transport sector's best practices.

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