The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has begun fitting all its cabs with surveillance cameras. The initiative, dubbed Al Yamama Initiative, will help maintain Dubai as the smartest and happiest city in the world. This aim is to ensure the safety of taxi drivers and passengers, as well as monitor the conduct of taxi drivers, their compliance with the company’s policies and to keep passengers and their belongings safe.
Adel Shakri, Director of Transportation Systems, at RTA's Public Transport Agency said: "Surveillance cameras have been installed in about 6,500 taxis out of a total fleet comprising 10,221 cabs. The project will cover the remainder of taxis this year." He also added, “the system aims to ensure the compliance of taxi drivers with the rules and principles of professional and moral conducts. It even motivates them to observe optimal attitudes towards users of the taxi service. The footage of these cameras can be retrieved in case of any violations reported during the taxi trips to eliminate any complaints from service beneficiaries," added Shakri.
"RTA always seeks to ensure the comfort and security of taxi riders in Dubai through using hi-tech devices and techniques to maximise their satisfaction; which ranks among its top priorities,” Shakri said.