Climate change has caused extreme weather conditions in different parts of the world, including the United Arab Emirates. On 16 April, heavy rains resulted in floods, and one of the main areas affected was Dubai. This heavy rainfall was the heaviest ever recorded in 75 years.
During such emergency situations, cabs come in handy as they help residents in many ways. In Dubai, residents living within the city had to abandon their homes and properties as sewage and water poured in unexpectedly. People had to flee by booking the available taxis to get them to safe areas.
How taxis helped
According to RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) officials, 759,000 taxi journeys were recorded during the peak storm period. While that number is slightly lower than usual, it shows the significant role taxis played in getting people out of harm’s way regardless of the precarious situation.
To illustrate how intense the weather conditions were at that time, the Dubai police handled 1,880 accidents between Thursday and Saturday. 55 of these were quite severe. Social media was full of photos of rising water levels, with one of them being a taxi that had water up to the windscreen. There was significant traffic congestion due to some roads being cut off by the water, which meant longer journeys than usual. The following are some of the ways in which taxis helped in this situation:
Taxis kept transport afloat
During the flood, some metro stations closed down their operations, which limited the transport options available to Dubai residents. Commuters were advised to remain at ground level as they waited for transportation.
When the metro services failed, taxis came in handy to assist with evacuations. Most commuters preferred taxis to the long waiting hours and longer journeys offered at the metro stations. Late-night rides, emergency transfers, and regular commuting were heavily handled by taxis during this period. Even with higher fares, most residents had no choice but to take taxis to get to work on time.
Easy access for residents
One of the best things about taxis is how accessible they are. Residents could communicate freely with the available drivers through apps and calls. Since taxis are flexible, most residents stranded in different areas could access transport services, unlike metro services. Some residents also preferred other taxi services like ridesharing.
Relying on Qualified drivers
Most taxi drivers are experienced and well-trained. Having been on the road for a long time, they are most conversant with Dubai roads, which made navigating through easier. With the existing networks, it was easier for the drivers to communicate and know the areas to avoid.
Monitoring and tracking through GPS
There were many risks during the Dubai flooding, and in some cases, emergencies arose. Most taxis in the area are monitored and tracked via GPS. This came in handy by providing that extra security layer not only for the passengers but the drivers as well. Since movement and location are monitored in real-time, any emergency requiring immediate action is easier to deal with.
Emergency response systems
Dubai taxis typically have an emergency response system installed. Drivers have emergency contact numbers and are trained in protocols for handling different situations. This, combined with collaboration with the relevant law enforcement agencies and local authorities, ensured driver and passenger safety. The partnership includes sharing helpful information regarding risk areas that should be avoided.
Floods are an emergency, and most taxi drivers understand this. While passengers may have been required to pay higher rates than average, it’s plausible that the drivers took risks by being out on the flooded roads.
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