Abu Dhabi taxi fare increases to go into effect at midnight

New, higher taxi fares in Abu Dhabi will come into effect at 12am on Thursday.

Fares for Abu Dhabi taxis have increased as of Thursday. Delores Johnson / The National

ABU DHABI // Fares for Abu Dhabi taxis will increase starting at 12am on Thursday, drivers have said.

The increases had been announced in May and apply to starting fees, per-kilometre rates and pre-booking fees.

Taxi drivers in the capital said on Wednesday that the fares would go into effect at midnight. Officials had earlier said they would go into effect a month after publication in the Official Gazette.

The flagfall will rise from Dh3.50 to Dh5 from 6am to 10pm, and from Dh4 to Dh5.50 other times. A minimum charge of Dh12 has also been set.

For both day and night trips, the charge per kilometre will be Dh1.82, an increase of 22 fils per kilometre. The waiting fee will remain the same, at Dh0.50 per minute.

“Taxis”

The fee for booking a cab through the call centre is rising from Dh3 to Dh4 during the day and Dh4 to Dh5 at night.

Mohammed Al Qamzi, general manager of Abu Dhabi Integrated Transport Centre, which regulates taxis, has said that the fares are still among the lowest worldwide and will improve the quality of taxi services.