Abu Dhabi has introduced a new app that will enable the passengers pay for their taxi rides online.
The move comes as an effort to encourage contactless payments and reduce Covid-19 contagion risks.
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According to local news reports, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi activated an online payment on-board for the entire taxi fleet.
This new Abu Dhabi Taxi application is available for download from the Apple Store and Google Play.
To use the service, passengers need to create an account in the app and provide their credit card details.
Once the trip is complete, the user can complete the payment through the app.
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By GlobalDataThe service will be supported by around 6,180 taxis operated by seven companies.
“This step is taken in line with ITC’s efforts, in collaboration with the stakeholders in public and private sectors, to improve the level of services offered, maintain the health and safety of the public, and reduce the pandemic risks,” Emirates News Agency quoted ITC as saying in a statement.
ITC is now planning to introduce other electronic payment means in future to facilitate public transportation transactions.
An ITC representative told the National that currently the taxis are allowed to shuttle two passengers at a time.
The passengers are also mandated to wear face masks and gloves during the journeys, while a plastic insulator will separate them from the driver.
