Dubai government to launch taxi venture with Careem

Dubai’s transport regulator is to launch a new taxi service with Careem, a ride-hailing rival to Uber in the Middle East.

The emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said the deal was the first in the world between a state transport authority and a private sector ride-hailing service, which have sometimes had testy relations with governments.

Almost 11,000 taxis will be operated by the new company, which will be 51 percent owned by the RTA and 49 percent by Careem, said a Careem spokesperson, adding that the venture could later be expanded to include buses and other forms of transportation.

RTA said it selected Careem for the venture after receiving bids from five global ride-hailing services. A source close to the deal said Uber was among the unsuccessful bidders.

“We remain committed to being a true partner to Dubai for the long term,” said an Uber spokesperson in response to a Reuters request for comment.

Uber and Careem both operate limousine services in Dubai, a city of about 3 million people, while taxis are also operated by the RTA.

Under the new company, which will be operational from April 2019, customers will be able to book taxis through an app, the technology for which will be supplied by Careem. Customers will still be able to hail taxis in the street.

Careem, which counts German car maker Daimler and China’s largest ride-hailing company DiDi Chuxing among its major backers, competes head-to-head with Uber in most major cities in the Middle East.

Also read: Dubai’s Careem launches delivery service, expects to close funding round soon