After female taxi drivers, Dubai now has the region’s first female bus drivers. The Dubai RTA recruited the first batch of three female bus drivers. The three new appointees started ferrying passengers on different routes from July 3. The initiative has made Dubai the first city in the Middle East to take this step. The CEO of RTA said, “This initiative goes with the best global practices of employing female drivers.”
Meanwhile, Dubai Now Has New Radars To Catch People Using Mobile Phones While Driving, so watch out!
https://twitter.com/rta_dubai/status/1280106153645662208?s=20
He also added that this opened up job opportunities for women in a field dominated by men. In addition, employing women will encourage the culture of using public transport. The step is also in line with the RTA’s effort to empower women and achieve gender balance across various jobs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTxQsvq0sDU
How Did Dubai Residents React To It?
The new initiative was welcomed with open hands by the residents. Many took to Twitter to appreciate RTA for giving women a chance and the effort it took to encourage gender equality.
Well done RTA, a step in the right direction.
— Victor Omondi (@VicOmondi2008) July 6, 2020
Routes That Have Deployed Female Drivers
1. Route 77 linking Baniyas, Deira City Centre, Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 3https://twitter.com/ShanitaKyomuhe1/status/1280148090222186497?s=20
2. Route F36; a Metro link service that runs between Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Science Park and Al Barsha South
3. Route F70, which is also a Metro link service, that shuttles between Burjuman, Bur Dubai and Al Fahidi.
Dubai RTA Introduces AI Technology In Taxis
In an effort to curb the spread of Covid, the Dubai RTA has installed AI in taxis to curb the spread of Covid. The artificial intelligence technology can detect people who aren’t wearing a mask. The AI technology can scan human faces and also detect if they are wearing masks or not. The technology also has a smart mathematical feature that can track the distance between the passenger and the driver. The technology can process videos for up to 200 thousand hours per day. Besides, Dubai Taxis Also Installed Isolators To Avoid Risks Of COVID-19 Infection.
.@rta_dubai employs AI in taxis to curb spread of Covid-19https://t.co/t9TqF9dR58 pic.twitter.com/fYnEVDal2h
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 15, 2020
Rules For Passengers Using Public Transport
In line with the precautions to curb coronavirus, the Dubai RTA released a new set of rules. Here’s an overview of the new rules for Dubai Metro, taxis, trams and buses:
- All passengers must wear a face mask while traveling by all public transport including taxis
- Residents having a fever or flu symptoms are advised not to use public transport
- Taxis and limousines are now restricted to only carry two passengers at a time, to ensure social distancing
- Passengers must sit ONLY in alternate seats in metros, trams and buses. Besides, riders are strictly advised against sitting on seats marked with an ‘X’
- Those standing in metros, trams or buses must maintain safe distance by staying on the demarcated floor stickers