Page 41 - drive a2b dec 2019 web

is viewing the recordings as a UAE - Dubai
positive move, with Sachin Kansal,
Uber's head of safety products, Dubai’s Roads Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that taxi booking and
explaining, "We have taken a dispatch services will move entirely to Hala, the joint venture between RTA
position that whenever you are and Careem, as of 7 December 2019. The move shifts from the interactive
in an Uber, the feeling that we voice response system of taxi booking in Dubai to Hala e-hailing system on the
want both parties to have is 'the Careem app.
lights are on'...That leads to safer
interaction on the platform." “This step marks a paradigm shift of Dubai Taxi booking process from the call
centre to Hala. It is part of RTA’s strategic drive to support Dubai Government’s
The privacy concern here is that Smart City initiative. This transition comes after a landmark one-millionth
both parties have the option to booking within days after the official launch of Hala service on 29 August 2019,”
record the audio, meaning if one said Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency.
opts-out of the recording it may
still occur. Even if recordings “Several actions have been put into effect in order to guarantee a smooth
aren't shared with Uber customer transition for customers who are to order a Dubai Taxi. The step contributes
support agents, they will remain to RTA’s objective of revamping taxi services in Dubai making the service more
in driver and rider trip histories for accessible through e-hailing, and at the same time advancing the integration of
future use. There's also a question public transit means. Safety and lost and found issues will remain to be handled
mark regarding wiretapping and by RTA’s Call Centre,” he added.
eavesdropping statutes, which Highlighting the importance of the transition, Clemence Dutertre, CEO of
vary by state. Will Uber take that Hala, said: "Hala customers will get a booking confirmation in less than ten
into account when launching the seconds and get a taxi in an average of three and a half minutes. Hala offers
new feature? its customers a smarter way to get around Dubai by knowing their fare upfront,
driver details, tracking their route, and paying through cash or credit card.”

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