Latest news with #taxi
Gulf Business
2 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Hala taxi trips in Dubai up 12%, users increase by 10% in H1 2025
Image: Hala/ RTA Taxi trips in Dubai rose 12 per cent year-on-year in H1, while active users increased by 10 per cent, the company said in a statement. In The company expanded its fleet by 250 vehicles in the first half and plans to add another 600 by year-end. Hala also introduced four new electric vehicles and reported that 90 per cent of its total fleet is now hybrid. EV trips helped avoid an estimated 272.61 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) during the period. Customer satisfaction held steady at 4.9 out of 5, with 98 per cent of trips rated 'Good' or higher. Hala maintained an average ETA of under three minutes in peak zones and recorded a 93 per cent trip fulfilment rate. Low-rated trips (1–3 stars) fell by 25 per cent, customer contact rates dropped 13 per cent, and cancellations were down 17 per cent. Hala: New drivers, sustainable scaling To support growth, over 2,600 new drivers – known as 'captains' – were onboarded and trained in H1, while more than 6,000 existing captains completed refresher training. Hala also rolled out several service enhancements, including upgraded hygiene protocols and a new in-car scent experience developed with fragrance brand Rituals. CEO Khaled Nuseibeh said the results reflect 'continuous improvement and sustainable scaling' across Hala's operations. 'Whether it's through Captain Care, listening to our riders, or investing in greener mobility, we are scaling in a way that is sustainable, responsive, and responsible,' he said. Hala operates through the Careem app and serves as a major player in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah's public transport network. The company said it remains focused on expanding tech-enabled, low-emission transport options in line with broader urban mobility and climate goals. A cornerstone of Hala's growth is its emphasis on the well-being of its captains, who benefit from ongoing development opportunities such as regular training on safety, tech, and service standards, alongside support mechanisms for physical and mental well-being. Top-performing captains are regularly recognised and rewarded, while flexible scheduling options and financial support programmes are in place to help them balance their personal and professional lives. As demand for tech-enabled, reliable transport continues to grow, Hala remains focused on delivering measurable impact across convenience, service quality, and environmental responsibility. Integrated within the Careem app, Hala continues to play a key role in strengthening urban mobility in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.
Zawya
a day ago
- Automotive
- Zawya
Hala reports strong H1 growth driven by operational efficiency and customer focus
Ras Al Khaimah trips grow 11.3% as Hala users rise 15% Hala adds 250 vehicles in H1; 600 more planned 90% of Hala fleet now hybrid; EV trips cut 272.61 metric tons CO₂e Dubai, UAE – Hala, the region's leading e-hailing taxi service and a joint venture between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Careem, has reported strong performance in the first half of 2025, driven by solid growth in taxi trips, enhanced service quality, and continued progress on sustainability and operational efficiency. Growth and Performance According to Hala's operational data, trips during peak months in Dubai increased by 12%, alongside a 10% rise in active users, indicating steady and healthy demand for reliable, on-demand transportation. In Ras Al Khaimah, a similar pattern emerged, with trip volumes up 11.3% and user numbers increasing by 15%. This growth mirrors wider mobility trends across the UAE, where tourism has remained strong, domestic travel continues to rise, and residents are increasingly turning to e-hailing to complement existing transport options. As city infrastructure evolves to accommodate this momentum, Hala's ability to scale supply without compromising performance or reliability reinforces its role as a core part of the region's urban transport network. Importantly, this growth has not come at the cost-of-service quality. Customer satisfaction remained consistently high at 4.9 out of 5, backed by 98% of all rated trips being marked 'Good' or better - a direct reflection of the professionalism, courtesy, and local knowledge of Hala's captains. Even during periods of high demand, Hala maintained an average estimated time of arrival of under 3 minutes in peak areas and delivered a 93% trip fulfilment rate. Expansion & Sustainability Efforts Hala also expanded its fleet by 250 vehicles during H1, with a further 600 set to be deployed in the coming months. As part of its push toward greener mobility, the company also introduced four new electric vehicles, bringing the overall fleet composition to 90% hybrid. Trips completed by Hala EVs led to an estimated emissions reduction of 272.61 metric tons of CO₂e. By increasing the availability of low-emission vehicles, Hala is making sustainable transport choices more accessible to riders while contributing to broader environmental goals. Operational Consistency Additionally, operational performance showed clear improvements according to the data. Customer contact rates dropped by 13%, low-rated trips (1–3 stars) declined by 25%, and cancellations fell by 17%. These gains were driven by initiatives such as increased taxi supply, closer coordination with franchise partners, and customer experience enhancements, including hygiene standards and curated in-car fragrances, developed through a partnership with fragrance brand Rituals. To help maintain this level of consistency, Hala is continuously investing in Captain training. Over 2,600 new Captains were onboarded in H1 and trained across operational and service modules, while more than 6,000 existing Captains completed refresher training. The sessions focused on the overall customer experience and ride quality, which contributed directly to improved trip ratings and reduced cancellations. Commenting on the strong H1 results, Khaled Nuseibeh, CEO of Hala, said: 'We're proud of the momentum achieved in H1, but more importantly, we remain focused on continuous improvement. These results reflect our commitment to raising the bar for mobility in every city we serve. Whether it's through Captain Care, listening to our riders, or investing in greener mobility, we are scaling in a way that is sustainable, responsive, and responsible.' Captain Well-being A cornerstone of Hala's growth is its emphasis on the well-being of its Captains, who benefit from ongoing development opportunities such as regular training on safety, tech, and service standards, alongside support mechanisms for physical and mental well-being. Top-performing Captains are regularly recognised and rewarded, while flexible scheduling options and financial support programmes are in place to help them balance their personal and professional lives. As demand for tech-enabled, reliable transport continues to grow, Hala remains focused on delivering measurable impact across convenience, service quality, and environmental responsibility. Integrated within the Careem app, Hala continues to play a key role in strengthening urban mobility in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. About Hala Hala is Dubai's most convenient e-hailing taxi solution, easily booked through the Careem app. A joint venture between Careem and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Hala leverages Careem's ride-hailing technology and the local knowledge of the RTA to provide the most reliable and convenient rides across Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. With a motivation to continuously elevate customer experience in public transportation, Hala has unlocked this incredible region by keeping Dubai connected and moving. Media Contact: Tessy Mathew at Q Communications Tessy.m@
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Can taxis and ride-hailing services co-exist in Hong Kong under new rules?
Hong Kong's proposed regulation of ride-hailing services shows that the government intends to take a slice of the market while reining in platforms and supporting the taxi trade, but the plan hinges on balancing the competing interests of all players, experts have said. Industry insiders added that the Transport and Logistics Bureau faced several challenges in achieving all three objectives. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan, who took office last December, told lawmakers on Friday of her determination to resolve the long-standing conflict between taxis and ride-hailing services. Taxi drivers have repeatedly raised concerns that many Uber drivers do not hold valid hire-car permits while platforms have argued they provided better service. The bureau unveiled its regulatory blueprint earlier last week, outlining a comprehensive framework for governing drivers, vehicles and platform operators. Besides listing the necessary licences and permits that operators and drivers must hold, the proposal also includes a yet to be specified cap on the number of vehicles providing ride-hailing services and a levy imposed on platforms for each trip. Officials have cited the experience of the Australian state of Victoria, which introduced a levy to compensate cabbies affected by the legalisation of ride-hailing platforms.
ABC News
3 days ago
- ABC News
Taxi driver charged with sexual assaults in Cairns area
Police are appealing for women who may have been assaulted in taxis or rideshare vehicles in North Queensland to come forward after charging a 72-year-old male driver with three counts of sexual assault. Senior Constable Amelia Farrows said police believed there may be more alleged victims. Taxi driver Roman Peter Galaska picked up a 76-year-old woman near Cairns Hospital on May 9, according to police. They allege the Palm Cove resident drove the woman to a Manunda address, helped her inside and touched her inappropriately. Police also allege that Mr Galaska inappropriately touched a 27-year-old woman before she got out of the vehicle at Woree on May 17. "This type of offending is not tolerated in our community and police will investigate all complaints thoroughly," Senior Constable Farrows said. She called for anyone who had experienced inappropriate behaviour or touching while riding in a taxi or rideshare vehicle to contact police. Mr Galaska is due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Independent Singapore
3 days ago
- Independent Singapore
ComfortDelGro to discipline taxi driver who threw wheelchair but reveals passengers were relatives of drive
Photo: SGRV FB SINGAPORE: ComfortDelGro has confirmed that it will be taking disciplinary action against a taxi driver who was caught on camera throwing a wheelchair onto the ground and manhandling a passenger during a heated incident that unfolded in Redhill on July 18. The company, however, also indicated that the passengers did not pay the fare and were relatives of the driver The incident, which took place at about 1.30pm in front of Block 71 Redhill Road, was captured on a vehicle's dashcam and uploaded by SG Road Vigilante to Facebook on Friday (19 July), quickly going viral. In the footage, a blue ComfortDelGro taxi is seen stationary at a zebra crossing with its left-side doors already open. A red plastic bag is thrown out of the vehicle, shortly before a passenger alights to pick it up. Moments later, the female driver steps out, opens the boot, and hurls a folded wheelchair onto the pavement. A second passenger exits the vehicle, and the first returns briefly to retrieve another item. The cab driver then slams the doors shut and is seen physically pulling one of the passengers out of her way before shutting the boot and getting back into the driver's seat. The dashcam footage was captioned: 'Not to put her job at risk, but her attitude towards them was truly unacceptable. The old lady was crying, by the way.' A ComfortDelGro spokesperson has since confirmed to Stomp that the company is aware of the video and has launched an investigation. 'The well-being and respectful treatment of all our passengers is paramount,' the spokesperson said, 'The actions of the cabby are unacceptable and do not reflect the professional standards we uphold.' The company clarified that the passengers involved were not fare-paying customers, but relatives of the driver. 'Our investigations reveal that the incident was a personal dispute involving the cabby and her own family members, who were being ferried in the vehicle at the time,' the spokesperson added. 'Nonetheless, we take a serious view of any misconduct by our cabbies. We will be addressing this matter internally with the cabby concerned and will take appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with our company policies.' ComfortDelGro has not disclosed the specific disciplinary measures being considered. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
