TransAD

Thursday, July 30, 2015 khaleej times

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Leading the bandwagon The strategic objectives of TransAD are aimed to meet the future needs of Abu Dhabi

ous effort to upgrade its services.

Making sure that drivers working for various franchises are properly incentivised, Al Qemzi notes, “There is a proper structure for daily collection, depending on how much the drivers achieve. We make sure the drivers have basic salary, accommodation plus medical insurance. Besides, a commission can be made depending on the driver’s performance. We also have a mechanism to rate drivers with a good safety record for

» By Sadiq Shaban

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eadquartered in Abu Dhabi, the Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars (TransAD), aims to develop the taxi transport sector in Abu Dhabi to the highest international levels of quality. Over the years, the Centre has successfully managed to make the taxi transport in the emirate more reliable and efficient. With the introduction of hi-tech apps and modern technology, TransAD ensures comfortable, efficient and safe travel.

Commenting on various achievements, Mohamed Darwish Al Qemzi, General Manager of the Centre, told Khaleej Times, “Our main aim is to be the best provider for taxi services. Most of our work is centred on this. At TransAD, we have been undertaking a lot of projects with the aim of providing the best services and safety to people. We provide services to all sections of the society — general public, those with special needs, elderly, people who live in the outskirts, and so on.”

TransAD secured the first place in the Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (2015), held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Mohamed Al Qemzi, General Manager of TransAD

Running a 24/7 call centre, TransAD ensures that the average response time to hail a cab in Abu Dhabi is seven minutes.

After a customer places a call, a message goes out to five nearest taxis (of any franchise) and the driver closest to the area responds promptly. Customers can also book a cab through a smart app (AbuDhabi Taxi), which gives them an option to choose their own taxi.

KT photo by Nezar Balout

Active on several fronts, TransAD successfully launched a fleet of 270 new Mercedes Vito Compact taxis, in cooperation with Emirates Motors Company. The taxis display a higher level of luxury and spaciousness, besides being equipped with all the necessary safety features. There is an interactive touch screen loaded with useful information and fun games. These initiatives fit well with the Centre’s continu-

which they are incentivised with certificates and money.”

The Centre has adopted a number of practices aimed at converting 25 per cent of taxis to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) with 220 luxury vehicles (airport taxis) running on green diesel, and 16 more on electricity. The initiative was launched in cooperation with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC),

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khaleej times Thursday, July 30, 2015

The Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars (TransAD)

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Personalised for commuter comfort Emirates Motor Company distributes state-of-the-art luxury saloons to Abu Dhabi’s transport leaders » By Farhana Chowdhury

and through the combined efforts of the taxi companies and the Department of Transport.

Noting that the safety of customer and driver is of prime importance, the General Manager of TransAD added that more than 300 CCTV cameras have been installed in cabs as a pilot project. “Testing has been done.

We will try and roll it out over the next few months to one year (in previous models). This project comes within the framework of the Centres’ efforts to regulate and monitor the services provided to the public and to ensure the highest standards of safety and quality. It is in line with our strategic objectives that meet the fu- Omar Al Korwe ture needs of the emirate.”

Call Centre Manager, TransAD With cabs registering over six million trips a month in Abu Dhabi, Al Qemzi highlights its the people but there is always role in our daily lives. “The scope to do more. We need to go growth of taxi services in Abu faster,” he concluded.

Dhabi has been phenomenal.

We are doing our best to serve — sadiq@khaleejtimes.com

Emirates Motor Company (EMC) recently delivered 270 special city taxis for TransAD in February this year. This move further strengthens its dedication to consumer satisfaction in the transport sector.

EMC, which is a flagship company of Al Fahim Group, is an authorised distributor of MercedesBenz in the country with bases in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The Mercedes-Benz Vito Compact vans are custom-made as per TransAD requirements and run on eco-friendly diesel. The fleet, distributed by EMC’s business unit Daimler Commercial Vehicles (EMC CV), is designed with partitions for privacy and equipped with easy-to-use intercom systems. EMC also provided training for designated drivers to become familiar with the vehicles’ onboard features and technology.

“EMC CV shares a strong relationship with TransAD. It has worked closely in the last four years to help provide the best products and services to customers in the UAE,” said Bilal Al Ribi, General Manager, EMC Commercial Vehicles.

EMC’s ties with the government entity dates back to 2011 when it had supplied two demo units for trial. TransAD then placed an order for 205 Mercedes-Benz Vito 115 CDI models in 2013 for use as airport taxis, and another eight units designed for those with special needs. In 2015, the fresh order of 270 more vehicles was delivered in batches between February and April.

“Offering these tailor-made solutions to ensure best product support and high availability of vehicles on the road is key to the success of our relationship with TransAD and other clients interested in commercial vehicles,” said Frank Bernthaler, CEO — Automotive, Al Fahim Group.

Since its inception in 1962, its

passenger car product line has almost doubled. This led to a new operating structure in June 2015, under which two business units within the company — EMC Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars (PC) and EMC Daimler Commercial Vehicles (CV).

EMC PC markets, distributes and services all Mercedes-Benz luxury saloons, while EMC CV distributes and maintains vans, buses and trucks. Both provide Mercedes-Benz qualified service with high and consistent availability of Mercedes-Benz GenuineParts.

Bernthaler said that the PC unit witnessed a 23 per cent growth, while CV recorded 78 per cent rise in the first quarter of 2015, compared to the same period last year.

“We are able to deliver 24/7 service, mobile workshop teams on customers’ sites in case vehicles cannot be maintained in main facilities, and service contract packages covering repair. We also

Frank Bernthaler

offer maintenance and extended warranty packages; genuine spare parts through EMC warehouse and Daimler’s regional logistics centre in Jebel Ali; as well as training for fleet customer’s technicians and drivers,” Bernthaler said, adding that EMC currently houses one of the Middle East’s largest Mercedes-Benz facilities.

Regional CSR initiatives and strategic tie-ups Commitment to the community is Al Fahim Group’s most valuable asset, according to Bernthaler.

Its significant strategic tie-up

accolades and future plans •

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• • • •

Eastern Motors will enter its second and third redevelopment phase, which focuses on workshop areas and body-shop facilities for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. This is set to open later this year.

Emirates Motor Company received several awards earlier this year from Daimler Middle East and Levant for its 2014 performance including: Best Ever Sales Results, Best SUV Performance in the Region, Best Corporate Sales Performance in the Region, and Best Growth Rate in Retail in the Region.

Eastern Motors was awarded the 2014 Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award (SKEA) Silver Category As part of major redevelopment of the Eastern Motors site in Al Ain, a new state-of-the-art showroom for Mercedes-Benz vehicles was opened in June 2014.

Emirates Motor Company had preceded its sister company in 2013 with the SKEA Gold Category.

In October 2014, Eastern Motors secured a one-year extension to its five-year contract with the Department of Transport for the maintenance of Mercedes-Benz Citaro city buses, which currently serves Al Ain’s public transport needs. The contract extension will see the success story of this groundbreaking public/private partnership flourish for the next five years.

Bilal Al Ribi

We are still working closely with TransAD as they intend to transform the rest of the existing fleet of city taxis in Abu Dhabi into more luxurious comfort solutions for the public, following the 270 units that have been delivered to them earlier this year.”

— Bilal Al Ribi, General Manager, EMC Commercial Vehicles this year is with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council to sponsor activities and sports matches. These events include football tournaments, sports for special needs, horseback-riding races, jumping and shooting, alongside diverse training courses.

“Since its inception, the group has generously supported those in need and diligently sought opportunities that have enabled it to make a difference,” said Bernthaler.

Furthermore, Eastern Motors has been a close partner of the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club for several years. It has supported a number of sports events including the Mercedes-Benz International Pro-Am Golf Tournament, the ISSF World Cup Shotgun and Asian Shotgun events, and Al Ain Rugby Club for younger athletes.

— farhana@khaleejtimes.com

Main services h Customer service and call centre services h Licensing services for taxi drivers h Licensing services to franchisee and limousine companies h Grievances services and complaints of taxi drivers h Compliance and services quality control h Issuance of NOC for taxi operations

Smart taxis guarantee premium experience Arabia Taxi Transportation LLC was awarded with the right to operate 1,245 taxis in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western region. The latest inclusion of smart taxis has completely revitalised the image of taxi services offered to the public.

Smart taxis offer a premium experience at the same rate and a journey in a spacious taxi.

We are proud to be a strategic partner of TransAD. We thank their management for their continuous support and guidance in providing efficient taxi services to the public in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western region.

We are committed to and glad to be a part of the journey spearheaded

by TransAD, by consistently improving year after year and seeking new methods to match the international quality.

Arabia Taxi Transportation LLC was awarded with the right to operate 1,245 taxis in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western region. The latest inclusion of smart taxis has completely revitalised the image of taxi services offered to the public. Smart taxis offer a premium experience at the same rate and a journey in a spacious taxi.

With steady growth in taxis operating in two shifts (day and night), our customers need not worry about the timings to reach their preferred destination. We are continuously striving to improve the quality of service offered by our company. Our taxi drivers are well trained to drive safely, have full knowledge of the city and treat the customers with re-

PSM Habibulla Khan

spect and courtesy.

We are confident that, with the support and guidance of the transport-governing authorities, we would exceed the international standards of providing taxi services in the UAE and set a benchmark for the other countries to emulate.

The writer is Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Arabia Holdings Limited.

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