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Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has legalised car pooling by launching Sharekni, "a share your car service."
The move aims to give people a way to legally car-pool in Dubai and encourages motorists to share rides and cut traffic congestion.
Abdul Aziz Malek, CEO of the Dubai Taxi Agency at the RTA, announced the launch of the free service yesterday in the form of a dedicated website.
"The services comes after extensive field studies carried out by a specialist team in the Public Transport Agency (PTA) in collaboration with a global consulting firm, which found that car occupancy is 1.6 person per one private car and this is one of the factors that is worsening the problem of traffic jams on the streets and roads of Dubai," he said.
Malek said those sharing cars with relatives and friends need not register. RTA inspectors check vehicles only if they suspect that someone is picking passengers up on the road or using their vehicle as an illegal taxi.
Database
He said the those interested in car-pooling should visit the RTA's website to register.
The website offers various options, which includes a search to find drivers or passengers in a certain company or emirate.
The PTA will maintain a database of subscribers and car owners. Residents can log on to either one of the two websites, the dedicated website or the RTA's website, and register to acquire a six-month valid permit and be part of the car-pooling service. Parties may agree a fee between themselves or share costs.
Malek said the maximum number of passengers in one car is four and all their names must be mentioned on the permit.
Currently, RTA inspectors issue a Dh5,000 fine to motorists for car-pooling or running an illegal taxi. The fine is aimed at stopping people from using their cars as illegal taxis. But there have been numerous complaints of motorists being fined while sharing cars with friends and colleagues.
Mohammad Bin Fahad, Acting Director of Planning and Business Development at the PTA, said the initiative will help lower costs commuters incur by using one car for sole use in addition to reducing stress caused by traffic jams especially during peak hours.
He said it will also contribute to reducing emissions from the large numbers of private cars, which means cutting pollution. "The service will also contribute effectively in reducing the phenomenon of illegal taxis, as all passengers in one car will have to be registered and their names mentioned on the permit which the driver will carry."
For car-pooling register at website www.sharekni.ae or the RTA's website www.rta.ae.
Stress buster
Residents said the service would not only ease traffic on roads but also minimise road rage. Almost all of them agreed it would also lessen the burden on their pockets.
Mohammad Rizwan, a Pakistani, currently car-pools. He said: "Five of us travel from Sharjah to Dubai Media City. All of us hold valid UAE driving licences and own a car. Each one of us takes turns to drive the rest of our colleagues to work every day. In my view car-pooling has lessened the stress level when driving in traffic and getting stuck. We all chit-chat and reach our office in a happy mood."
Avinash G., an Indian computer analyst who lives in Bur Dubai, uses car-pooling to reach his place of work in Jebel Ali.
"There are four of us in the car. A couple of us get off on Shaikh Zayed Road while the rest get off in Jebel Ali. We are all charged Dh150 per month by the driver who runs this service. He is an office boy who after dropping us goes to work. He comes to pick us up after he leaves his work at 6.30pm. I have to wait half an hour after work for him but it's worth the wait. I used to drive and I hated the traffic. I only take my own car out during weekends or to run errands," he said.
Raziya Kazmi, a Bangladeshi who works as a secretary has no intention of getting a driving licence of her own. She lives in Hor Al Anz and has been making use of a car-pooling service run by an office boy. "I have been using the service for two years. I work in Rashidiya. We are charged as per the location of our workplace. For example I pay Dh200 a month, a fellow passenger whose office is on Shaikh Zayed Road is charged Dh250. The public buses are so overloaded and so I prefer car-pooling. It is economical."
To register log on to: www.sharekni.ae
Would you opt for carpooling to travel to work everyday? Is the registration system convenient enough to encourage people to carpool? Do you think this will help recduce traffic at peak hours? Why? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
Your comments
How impractical to create an address book with the RTA of all the people you could ever give a ride, to be renewed every 6 months! I never charge money when offering a ride to office colleagues, so technically am I still an illegal taxi?
Jaideep
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 11:55
Legalizing the car-pooling service is the most positive step the RTA has taken. For once I agree 100% with the RTA officials.
Dipu
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 11:49
At least they have a common sense legalizing it. That's true it is one of a reason for traffic because most people prefer to have their own private car, since taxi is not that accessible and when the law was strict on car pooling tendency was to get their own car. Now it is legalized but they need names, so it is still not possible if ever you find a friend waiting in a bus stop to give a ride? If the RTA just has tried how hard it is to wait for a taxi or bus they will understand the struggle of the people. Sometimes they have to be on other peoples shoe to see the real problem.
Jeannie
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 10:35
This is one of the good steps taken by RTA to solve the traffic problems and wipe out the illegal taxi market which is a menace. I work as a Manager earning a decent salary and have no intentions of making money doing car lifts. I have a few friends who hang out with me so we all go in my car. I hope the RTA have guideline to check the status of the driver and occupants and determine if we are real friends or illegal car lifts. Keep up the good work RTA.
Brandon
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 10:17
RTA has taken right measures to prevent accidents, and cut down the traffic congestion
SYED
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 09:49
This is the stupidest thing i've ever heard of. why not just let people drive whomever they wish so it can cut down on traffic congestion.
ale
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 09:21
Why on earth should I have to register with the government in order to be able to sit in a co-worker's car?
Paul
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 09:20
Finally! A proper solution to try and ease traffic and not a money making scheme disguised as a toll system.
Danilo
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 09:15
Finally! The authorities have come to realise that car-pooling is one of the ways to reduce the everyday headache of all motorist - traffic.
But I have to stress the need to register. Situation is, the people who car-pool with a person today may not be the same people tomorrow. Also, if along the road you see your friend and you would want to offer him/her a lift but you can't coz his/her name wasn't registered
Elle
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 09:15
I really dont feel this will help in curbing the Traffic and moreoever they are legalising the private car as using as private Taxi.This shall encourage many Drivers working in Companies to start part time job by engaging in Car pooling and make extra money at Companies cost and last but not least Safety matters a lot.
Prashant M
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 08:45
If UAE can start Local flight between Ras Al Khaimah - Abu Dhabi and Fujairah and Abu Dhabi, I hope it may reduce more traffic in highways.
Mohamed
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 08:28
I tried to login details on the website sharekni but i am not able to select the origin and destination. If i select Ajman as origin destination cannot be selected. Same if select destination as Dubai origin is gone. So registration failed.
Shanker
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 07:01
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