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Every taxi in Dubai will soon have free Wi-Fi, thanks to the new deal signed between Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the telecom operator Du. The deal was finalized at the Gitex Technology Week and aims to improve the experience of commuters using the taxi service. Both the parties showed immense commitment to making Dubai a smart and lively city. RTA has announced that Du will soon begin the installation of Wi-Fi services on the taxis and within a year, all the vehicles will have the Wi-Fi technology. Ahmad Hashem Behroozian, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency stated that adding the Wi-Fi service in the taxi will allow the riders to conveniently browse the internet on their mobile phones and carry out important tasks while traveling. The Wi-Fi service in the taxi will surely be helpful for every Dubai resident. Do share your thoughts with us if you agree.

Dubai-based ride-hailing company Careem Networks FZ launched its car service in Turkey just last year and is now abandoning it to shift its attention towards the $1.5 billion taxi market. Talking about the decision, Ibrahim Manna, the managing director of emerging markets at Careem stated that the company is in talks with some potential partners to improve the quality of the taxi service in the region. Other news suggests that Careem’s rival, Uber Technologies which is another San Francisco based ride-hailing company, plans to acquire Careem and expand its operations in the Middle East as well. Both Careem and Uber have faced government crackdowns and have paid a huge amount of fine in their attempt to launch the ride-hailing service in Turkey. Although these ride-hailing companies offer a much better ride quality and comfort compared to a regular taxi, they are definitely giving a hard time to the traditional cab drivers. Share your opinion with us whether you prefer these ride-hailing services or love traveling in the regular taxi.

I live 15 km from my work place and drive daily for 5 days a week. While thinking of selling my car and going for another car, I realize to do some interesting math that I like to share with you all and seek an opinion on "WHY DO YOU BUY CAR?" COST OF REAL OWNERSHIP OF CAR All calculation are based on 1 year of car ownership of 100K AED car, to make math simple: 30 Km / day X 20 days / Month = 600 Kms / Month = 7,200 Kms / Year. Fuel cost: 14L / 100 kms = 7 kmpl = 7,200 / 7 = 1,028 liter / year = 1,028 x 1.78 AED / Liter = 1,830 AED / Year Insurance = 3,500 AED / Year Car wash and maintenance = 2,000 AED / Year Parking = 4,500 AED / Year (based on new RTA rates now) Registration = 500 AED / Year Salik = 2 crossing per day = 8 AED x 240 days = 1,920 / Year 1 year car depreciation = 15% = 15,000 AED. Total Running Cost: 1,830 (fuel) + 3,500 (Insurance) + 2,000 (Maintenance) + 4,500 (Parking) + 500 (Registration) + 1,920 (Salik) = 14,250 AED / Year Total Cost of car ownership: 14,250 (running cost) + 15,000 (depreciation) = 29,250 AED / Year. RIDING TAXI DAILY 240 days per year X 54.07 AED (as per RTA taxi calculator) X 2 (both directions) = 25,954 AED / Year. Though this math is very interesting, but it's VERY FUCKING DISTURBING to see that riding taxi's in Dubai is lot cheaper for work than our own car. I can actually sit at back and take a 15 min power nap twice daily than fighting with traffic. I can listen to music / watch movie / podcast anything I like. I don't have to worry to find a car park every day and walk for few meters in hot sun and bake myself in heated car for 10 minutes, and at end of 15 mins I reach home with sweated back.