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Dubai’s RTA, Hala launch ‘auto dispatch’ technology of taxis at Expo 2020

Vehicles will automatically receive dispatch requests to the Expo site based on the required number of taxis needed at each hour of the day

by Zainab Mansoor

September 28, 2021

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority in collaboration with Hala, has launched the ‘auto dispatch’ of taxis at Expo 2020 Dubai with the aim to efficiently dispatch taxis to exhibition visitors.

Leveraging in-house technology developed by Careem, taxis will be automatically dispatched to Expo 2020 based on the required demand. Vehicles will automatically receive dispatch requests to the Expo site based on the required number of taxis needed at each hour of the day.

.@rta_dubai in collaboration with “Hala” launches the ‘Auto Dispatch’ of taxis at @expo2020dubai, for the first time in the region. #Dubai https://t.co/jzkf9DmiJL pic.twitter.com/YVoIicfhLO

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 28, 2021

Hala, the joint venture between RTA and Careem, enables customers to book any taxi in Dubai via the Careem app. Tourists, residents, and visitors at Expo will now be able to book taxis through their phones via the app, or self-serving kiosks. Customers will avail a one-time password (OTP) to instantly book via their mobile, connect with any driver, and immediately take off on their journey with zero waiting time.

Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO, Public Transport Agency, said: “With the magnitude of visitors expected to visit Expo 2020, Roads and Transport Authority Dubai has the opportunity and responsibility of making sure that their commute is safe and seamless. Through its innovative digital solution, the ride hailing service is able to know exactly how many taxis are needed at any given time and automatically dispatch these to the Expo site. The increased taxi fleet enables the service to optimally balance supply and demand, making it more convenient for riders traveling to and from the Expo grounds.”

RTA aims to provide the entire Dubai Taxi fleet with the Hala e-hailing service and this solution, by collaborating with all of its franchise partners, a statement said.

“We are committed to offering customers and visitors the most efficient, convenient, and affordable taxi service possible. We have worked closely with the RTA to ensure that we maximise our technological capabilities and available fleet to deliver an innovative and reliable solution for all travelers at Expo 2020,” added Basil Hovakeemian, CEO of Hala.

The RTA has also deployed 126 public ‘Expo Rider’ buses to provide free shuttle services to the Expo 2020 Dubai site for visitors from nine locations across Dubai.

The six-month mega event is set to begin on October 1, 2021 and will run until March 31, 2022.

Read: All you need to know about Expo 2020 Dubai

Expo 2020 Dubai has also launched an October Pass, priced at Dhs95 for the entire month.