After its relaunch in December 2018 in Abu Dhabi, ride-hailing app Uber has announced that some Emirati nationals are now driving the app-based taxis in the capital. Emirati national Abed Al-Blooshi becomes the first Emirati to begin driving for them, and the company is expecting more Emirati nationals to join up.
In November, 2018, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) and Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi issued an approval to allow Emiratis to become Uber drivers. Now, any Emirati national who is over 21-year-old with a valid driving license for more than a year is eligible to become an Uber diver and can use his own car for the job.
Tino Waked, General Manager of Uber Middle East and North Africa said, “We are proud to have made great progress since we announced Uber’s return to Abu Dhabi last month, with the first Emirati driver-partner on the app who has already embarked on his first trip in and around the capital.”
“Abu Dhabi has always been an important market for Uber and we have worked collaboratively with ITC to align to their vision, and shown our commitment to fully supporting the city’s efforts in pioneering flexible, part time opportunities and an even better quality of life through urban mobility and smart initiatives”, he added.