Unlicensed taxis pose a threat to road safety across the country. They are unregulated, generally unsafe and drivers aren’t properly insured. Some don’t even have working seat belts. Despite heavy fines and warnings of possible arrests by the authorities, the spectre of unlicensed taxis remains constant. This problem is especially worrying at Abu Dhabi airport. As The National reported yesterday, Abu Dhabi police arrested 50 drivers operating illegal taxis from the airport in August.
As Abu Dhabi continues to invest in tourism through promotions for “layover” visits in conjunction with Etihad Airways and other travel companies, the airport takes on a special significance. For first time visitors, the airport experience sets the tone for the rest of the holiday. It is the place where the first impression is formed.
Arriving in a new place after a long flight, the first thing travellers want to think about is whether the taxi they are hailing is safe and regulated. We have all had those experiences in a new country, where you arrive and something feels odd about the taxis on offer at the airport. Perhaps the drivers seem distant or the price feels a little too soft. That initial feeling of uncertainty can leave a lasting impression across an entire holiday.
This is why cracking down on illegal taxis at the airport is critical. We need to make the experience as seamless, safe and convenient as possible. Regulated and safe taxis should be readily available in a variety of options (a single traveller with carry-on luggage doesn’t need a family-size van for the trip into town).
Authorities are aware of this problem, as is clear from the spike of arrests in August. But more can be done. Presumably, cars entering the airport area are monitored and so licence plates that make frequent trips to the arrivals pick-up area must be stopped well before reaching the terminal. Increased enforcement and perhaps higher fines should be enough to cleanse the airport of unlicensed cabs. A more streamlined system at the airport will have a subtle but profound effect on our tourism sector.
