Dubai: The flag down rates of taxis in Dubai will increase from Dh3 to Dh5 from December 1, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced.

RTA has also revised the basic charges for booking cabs, with the non-peak hour bookings costing Dh8, up from Dh6, and the peak-hour bookings will be charged Dh12 up from Dh10.

The move form parts of the move to integrate Dubai's taxi service with Nol cards package launched of late by the RTA covering all mass transit modes, including the metro, Dubai tram, public buses and marine transport.

Peak hours

From Saturday to Wednesday, the peak hours for taxi service are set from 7am to 10am, and 4pm to 8pm.

While on Thursdays and Fridays, the evening peak hours are set from 4pm to 12 midnight.

Dr. Yousuf Al Ali, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, said that the revised rates will be applicable to all taxi franchises in Dubai.

He added that only the basic fares have been revised, while the meters will continue to run at the same rate, which is Dh1.71 per kilometre.

Payment of taxi fares through Nol and credit card is already live on airport taxis.

Al Ali said that taxi meters are being upgraded gradually.

By mid 2015, commuters will have an option of paying through Nol and credit cards across the entire fleet of Dubai taxis.