Dubai: New taxi platform to offer riders fare options from different drivers

Dubai: New taxi platform to offer riders fare options from different drivers

A taxi platform that utilises an auction-based pricing model has been licensed to operate in Dubai. This model removes the commission process, which contributes to “lower prices for riders and higher incomes for drivers”. Drife, which is touted to be the UAE’s first decentralised ride hailing platform, gives users the option to choose their fares from multiple drivers. For any given ride, a minimum fare is set which is typically 30 per cent higher than standard fares as per Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) regulations. Drivers have the option to offer discounts, maintain the ride's standard fare, or request a premium. “Riders are then presented with various fare options from different drivers, enabling them to make informed decisions based on their preferences such as price, distance, driver proximity, vehicle type, and driver rating,” Firdosh Sheikh, founder of Drife, told Khaleej Times. The platform operates on a zero-commission fee structure, “ensuring that up to 100 per cent of the fare paid by the rider goes directly to the driver”. This allows drivers to earn more income and pass on the benefits to riders in the form of savings. “Without a profit motive in the ride fare, Drife can offer riders affordable