Use Careem? You’re about to have about 15,000 more cars to choose from…

Getting a taxi in Dubai is about to get a little bit easier.

You’ll soon be able to order RTA vehicles using the Careem app after the two signed a partnership this week.

That means all of the RTA’s 9,841 taxis and 4,700 limousines will be available on the online booking platform, along with Careem’s pre-existing range of limousines and economy cars.

The app, which is a locally-based answer to Uber, lets customers pay via card, cash or credits – meaning there’s an end in sight to taxi drivers’ lack of change.

READ MORE
*New Dubai taxi drivers will have to pass an English test*
*Self-driving taxis could soon be a thing in Dubai*
*See the weird, wonderful – and expensive – things left in taxis*

Careem Dubai - win Dhs5,000

The partnership aims to streamline public transport in Dubai for residents and tourists alike.

“With this agreement, customers will have a choice of a variety of taxis with different fare structure and higher rate of availability, which will mean the customers will wait for a shorter period of time,” said Adel Shakeri, Director of Transportation Systems at the RTA’s Public Transport Agency.

According to a statement released by the Dubai Media Office, this agreement is part of the RTA’s plan to build an “integrated mobility platform”.

Basically, the authority want to create one app where you’ll be able to arrange a whole bunch of travel – from the metro, tram, buses and marine transport to Palm Monorail and Dubai Trolley.

This app will apparently offer “an easy access to all transit means in Dubai through a single window”, though it’s unclear as to whether services like Uber would be a part of that.

The RTA has said it is inviting all private online booking companies to join their initiative though, so perhaps we will be able to streamline our phone’s homescreen even more in the future?

We’ll keep you updated…

– For more about Dubai straight to your newsfeed, follow us on Facebook.