Passengers will now be able to make contactless payments for taxi rides in Abu Dhabi during the coronavirus outbreak.
The payments can be made by downloading the Abu Dhabi Taxi app, which is available on Apple Store and Google Play.
Passengers need to create an account and provide credit card details, which are saved for future taxi journeys.
Once the trip is over, passengers can make the payment through the app without any need to interact with the driver.
An Integrated Transport Centre representative said the move was in line with the organisation’s efforts to improve the level of service and minimise human interaction to limit the spread of the virus.
-
An employee at Dubai International Airport walks past a poster reminding passengers to keep a safe distance from each other, after the resumption of scheduled operations by Emirates on May 22. Karim Sahib / AFP -
People wear face masks as they play football in the grassy area outside the closed Zabeel park in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Passengers of an Emirates flight prepare to board a plan to Sydney at Dubai International Airport. Karim Sahib / AFP -
Workers wear face masks as they buy food from. asupermarket oin Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
A man carries a sack of onions at Al Mina Vegetables and Fruits Market in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Al Wadha Mall in Abu Dhabi reopens with measures in place to protect shoppers. Victor Besa / The National -
Al Wadha Mall in Abu Dhabi reopens with measures in place to protect shoppers. Victor Besa / The National -
Visitors wear face masks while snowboarding at Ski Dubai, which reopened on May 27 along with cinemas, gyms and other entertainment venues. Mahmoud Khaled / EPA -
Beach-goers lie on lounge chairs by the shoreline near Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai on May 20, as Covid-19 measures are eased. Karim Sahib / AFP -
A Jumeirah Al Naseem hotel staff member waits to greet guests in Dubai as safety measures are eased. Karim Sahib / AFP -
People eat at a restaurant in Dubai as measures begin to ease.However, precautions are still. inplace to protect diners. Karim Sahib / AFP -
Stickers are placed along aisles at a supermarket in Dubai marking safe distances for shoppers to maintain to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. AFPo -
Officers man Dubai Plice's Command and Control Centre amid the coronavirus outbreak. Karim Sahib / AFP
The centre manages public transport in the emirate.
“The online payment feature will greatly benefit tourists by facilitating the payment of taxi fares without the need for carrying cash,” the ITC representative said.
“In light of the current health situation with the risk of coronavirus outbreak, all public means of transport, including taxis, are being sterilised regularly at the beginning and end of each work shift.
“Drivers are provided sterilising products to clean the vehicle after each trip as part of the precautionary measures ITC is undertaking.”
The representative said no more than two passengers were allowed in an Abu Dhabi taxi at a time.
Passengers must also wear face masks and gloves and should be seated only in the back seat.
Plastic insulators to isolate the driver from passengers will remain in place and hand sanitisers will be available for those on board.
The ITC is also considering whether to introduce other means of payment, such as electronic wallets, in the future.
