How do you commute from Sharjah to Dubai during rush hours ?

Which is the most cost-effective mode of travel in Dubai?

Do you prefer carpooling our other modes of transportations?

If yes is the answer for above Queries, be ready to face the music.

Carpooling (also called ridesharing) is a catching concept because of its many benefits. Car sharing dramatically reduces the commute costs, congestion of traffic, and it can help in alleviating the stress caused due to driving.

But is carpooling legal everywhere? No is the answer. While there are many countries that are helping carpooling to spread, in UAE it is an offence to transport people to and from the destination without obtaining the license. In the recent crackdown, UAE authorities fined over 2200 motorists as they were using their vehicles as taxis without obtaining any proper license.

So if you travel by sharing your journey with others, make sure to ask the driver about the permit otherwise it’s going to get you in trouble. Since the best thing about carpooling is that it transports people to and from places in the quickest possible time, the best alternative can be opting to rent a car service. Renting a car in Dubai or other emirates lets you overcome threats and risks involved in car sharing besides moving you to places in minimum time.

While Carpooling has myriad advantages but an obvious downside is that there is risk associated with it, which is why UAE is looking for other safe and smart alternatives.

Fine, Black Points and even Confiscation for carpooling in Dubai

UAE authorities have warned the motorists that carpooling in their private vehicles is illegal and huge fines will be levied on the offenders.

Carpooling is illegal in UAE and can lead to Dh3000 fine, 24 black points and 30-day vehicle confiscation, said UAE authorities on Monday. They further stated that “only licensed taxis and the private vehicles will be allowed to transport people”.

The step is in continuance to its efforts to curb the unauthorized taxis and unidentified drivers who can pose a serious risk to commuters in case of mishaps and the legal prosecution thus becomes problematic when the driver is unknown or unlicensed.

The director of the Transport security department of Abu Dhabi Brigadier Ibrahim Sultan Al Zaabi said,

“Illegally transporting passengers has serious consequences for the commuters and pose a serious threat to society. It also poses danger to the health and security of the community.”

He further urged people not to use illegal private taxis and opt only licensed modes of transportation. He also encouraged passengers to use public transport and other smart alternatives.”

“The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently introduced various services which include ‘Smart Car Rental’, taxis, limousine and E-Hail in order to help passengers reach their destinations quickly and with ease.

It is worth mentioning here that the Abu Dhabi Police and the Department of Transport lately have been busy in creating awareness among the masses and carrying out campaigns in order to monitor the unauthorised use of private vehicles for commercial use and impose fines or seize the vehicles accordingly.

Who is going to get affected the most?

Abu Dhabi is more likely to get affected by this recent announcement as the practice is very common in the emirate. Workers and low-income groups in the Emirates who cannot afford car rentals and expensive taxi fares when travelling to the outskirts of Abu Dhabi usually opt for the unauthorised taxi service where they share the fare with the other commuters. These taxis are affordable and quick and therefore people find it better over the other options.

This move is going to have the positive effect on the other modes of transportation like car rental in Abu Dhabi, licensed taxis etc.

RTA suspends Carpooling permits: Sharekni permits

RTA confirmed that sharekni, a platform that issued permits for car sharing have been suspended. The carpooling platform was suspended last year by the Roads and Transport Authority and the even official website was taken down. However, motorists who had been using Sharekni permits can continue to use until the expiry date.

The carpooling website www.sharekni.ae redirects to a blank page with a notice

“Service is suspended and no new service permit will be issued to me after this date. The validity of the permits issued before this date will remain valid until the date indicated on the permit and will not be renewed thereafter”

Sharekni was used by hundreds of the motorists across UAE as it not only enables them to register for permits but also allowed motorists in finding residents interested in sharing a ride with them.

Conclusion

Carpooling may not be the perfect solution for everyone, especially for those who value privacy and safety the most, but there are still many commuters who find this service the best for them as for the obvious reasons like affordability. If negatives of carpooling are managed properly, it can act as a transportation solution.

But it has to be seen for how long the services will be banned in the UAE and what alternatives are developed by the authorities to solve the transportation issues in the UAE.

Do you agree with the move? Share with us in the comments below