Dubai's publicly owned taxi company is searching for new drivers, as demand for transport soars.
A recruitment day will be held on Friday in which potential drivers will be offered monthly salaries of Dh2,000 plus commission.
Positions are open for men and women, who work in a “pink taxi” fleet that serves women and families only.
In an online advertisement, Privilege Labour Recruitment said a walk-in day would be held on Friday, March 10, from 8am until 2pm at its headquarters at Office M-11, Abu Hail Centre, Deira.
Applicants must have a residency visa, Emirates ID and a valid driving licence. They must be aged between 23 and 55, the advert read.
Dubai Taxi Corporation, run by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has 5,700 vehicles. Most of the vehicles run 24 hours a day, operated by drivers on 12-hour split shifts.
Demand has been supplemented by the growth of Careem and parent company Uber, which connects privately owned limo companies with customers via their apps.
But demand has noticeably outstripped supply in recent months.
Thousands of drivers have been sent to Expo 2020 Dubai, which began on October 1 and ends on March 31, and taxis are hard to come by in that side of town in particular.
The city has also experienced post-pandemic population growth, with thousands of new arrivals every month.
As The National reported in January, Dubai's population is set to hit 3.5 million in the coming months. There are official projections that 5.8 million people will live in the emirate by 2040 — placing the roads under significant strain. Many new arrivals are expected to be from Russia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Dubai Expo flooded with visitors — in pictures
-
Masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus are no longer mandatory outside at Expo 2020 Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Organisers do encourage people to wear masks when in large crowds, however. Antonie Robertson/The National -
A decision was made to relax the rules on mandatory mask-wearing across the UAE from February 26. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Some visitors did not wear masks at the Expo site on February 28. Pawan Singh / The National -
Health and safety remains a key priority at the site. Pawan Singh / The National -
All visitors to the event must provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken in the previous 72 hours. Pawan Singh / The National -
Rules on physical distancing also remain in place. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors without masks enjoy a tour of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
All smiles: many people are now choosing not to wear masks when outside. Pawan Singh / The National -
When in large crowds, authorities recommend masks are worn. Pawan Singh / The National -
The easing of face mask rules is the most significant Covid-19 restriction change since April 2020, when the pandemic spread across the globe. AFP -
Expo 2020 Dubai is open for only a few more weeks. AFP -
The six-month world's fair will close its doors on March 31. AFP -
A packed calendar of events is planned for Expo 2020 Dubai's final weeks. AFP
