Abu Dhabi taxis to cost more

Fares for silver taxis in Abu Dhabi are set to increase for all trips from Sunday, the taxi regulatory authority has announced.

The revised fare will be Dh1 for every 750 metres covered, as opposed to the former rate of Dh1 for every 1,000 metres covered, according to a statement by the Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars (TransAD).

The flag-fall rate - the basic fee for the first 250 metres of the journey - remains unchanged at Dh3 between 6am and 9.59pm and Dh3.60 between 10pm and 5.59am.

The statement said the decision was made as a result of the recent fuel price hikes, which had increased the operating costs of the seven taxi franchisees in Abu Dhabi.

The higher fares, which were decided upon after a periodic review of the franchisees by the regulatory authority, will allow the latter to provide a better quality taxi service it said.

The statement said the fare increase was "symbolic" since the cost of short trips would only increase by Dh1 or Dh2, while residents would benefit from improved services that were available 24 hours a day.