14 minute average waiting time for taxis - figures

WAITING TIME: On average, taxi customers in Dubai waited 14 minutes for a vehicle to arrive. (Getty Images)

The average waiting time for a taxi in Dubai was 14 minutes in 2008, according to statistics released by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Figures also revealed that more than 5.2 million vehicles were booked following receipt of more than 7.4 million calls in 2008.

Meanwhile, the number of vehicles booked automatically over the IVR system topped 1.2 million over the same period.

“Public Transport Agency is mobilizing all its resources to serve passengers who heavily rely on taxi service as a means of commuting within the emirate of Dubai” said Yousef Al Madani, director of Transport Systems Department.

He added: “The rate of responding to customer calls has shown a remarkable improvement hitting 27 seconds in the first quarter of last year, while the duration of dispatching the vehicle to customers reached an average of 14 minutes."

He said an extra 2,000 taxis would be added to the current fleet, taking the total number to 10,000 by the end of 2009.

“Taxi service is a subject of a rising demand triggered by the urban development and demographic expansion in Dubai, which is shaping into an important economic centre and a point of attraction for investors and businesspersons from all over the globe," he added.

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READERS' COMMENTS

14 minutes on whose clock
Posted by DubaiGal, Dubai on Saturday 4 April 2009 at 09:46 UAE time


My office is in Garhoud so located between City Centre & the Airport. Last Monday I waited THREE hours for the taxi I called ! I was told it might take some time, cos of the rain so was ready for a 1 hour wait, and so waited this time before calling again to enquire. I called despatch 4 times, each time apologetically telling me one had been sent and was on it's way please could I be patient....no taxi ever came !!! Although in my last call, they had already had 3 drivers answer their call So imagine my surprise at 11.20 the next day when my mobile rang, and a taxi to tell me he was outside my office. Two days later, Wednesday night I waited TWO hours and also ended making 5 calls to get a taxi !!! Again despatch called more than one taxi to get the final one to me
There is something wrong with the system. I wish for the 14 minute arrival !!! and am thankful I live on Sheik Zayed for leaving home as can easily get one on the street.

just business
Posted by Sergey on Monday 23 March 2009 at 16:25 UAE time


I have my own car, but sometimes I need taxi to travel & this day become nightmare - to get a taxi from the street it takes 20-40 minutes. Now the weather is good, but what about summer time with 50 outside? If I call taxi company - they promise after 45 minutes at night & 75 minutes daytime. My house is in the centre of Sharjah on main crossroad. Before some years I can use just any car in the road - taxi or private & for Sharjah price was 5 Dh. Now somebody rejected private pick up & prices become 15 Dh for Sharjah. So somebody become more rich from us. And we have no choice.

Taxi efficiency
Posted by x, Dubai on Sunday 22 March 2009 at 18:29 UAE time


Not only is it difficult you book a taxi on time or to the right location even when your details are in the system.

If you are out in the evenings at any location where taxis are lining up, they ask for your destination before accepting you in their car i.e. if your cab fare will only be 10 or 15 dirhams you must wait for another car...! I don’t see much efficiency in the taxi service and I have never been lucky enough to receive a taxi in 14 minutes to my home... i can only hope that effecient monitoring systems and costomer satisfation is taken in account for its overall improvement... though i must add that cabs are often clean and i believe the sanitary standards are well maintained.

Hang on....
Posted by Doug on Sunday 22 March 2009 at 14:54 UAE time


"Figures also revealed that more than 5.2 million vehicles were booked following receipt of more than 7.4 million calls in 2008."

By my reckoning, that means 2.2 million people didn't get the taxi they booked last year. Or in other words, if you ring up and book a taxi, you've only about a 70% chance of it showing up.

And they're PROUD of this?

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