Dubai offers free parking and discounts on taxi fares for tourists with special needs

Determined individuals can request free parking through the RTA website or app, or in person at the customer satisfaction center.

Tourists with special needs or People of Determination (PoD) can take advantage of free public parking throughout Dubai for up to three months. They can also obtain special permits to enjoy a 50 percent discount on taxis.

Speaking at the 4th International Accessible Travel and Tourism Conference, Osama Al-Safidirector of the RTA Parking Department and head of the PoD Friendly Organization, said PoD tourists can use public parking throughout Dubai for free, similar to the privilege provided to senior residents of the Emirates and PoD.

Digital parking permit

The request for free parking can be made online through RTAThe RTA website or app, or in person at any RTA customer satisfaction center. He RTA has digitized free parking permit services since August last year, allowing PoDs to no longer have to print and display permits.

However, free parking for PoD tourists is temporary and is limited to a maximum of three months per request.

Taxi fare discounts

Meanwhile, PoD tourists can also avail a 50 percent discount on taxi fares in Dubai, according to Abdullah Ibrahim Al Meer, Acting Director of Business Transformation at DTC.

“They (PoD tourists) only need to apply for a Sanad card, a smart card issued by the Community Development Authority (CDA) for PoD residents and tourists,”

He noticed.

DTCs It first announced broader coverage for taxi fare discounts earlier this week. Previously, only dedicated taxis or those designed for wheelchair users offered discounted fares. But now, PoDs, particularly those with non-motor disabilities, can book regular taxis through the DTCs App and enjoy reduced rates.

Founded in 1995, DTCs is the largest taxi operator in Dubai. It has a fleet of about 7,000 taxis and currently holds about 44 percent of the market share.

How to get the Sanad card

As for PoD tourists, Al-Meer He noted that they must use a Sanad card to take advantage of the 50 percent discount on the fare.

According to the Community Development Authority (CDA) website, the validity of heal PoD tourist cards are based on the length of your visit.

The application can be made online and the requirements to obtain a heal The card includes an electronic copy of the visit visa issued by Dubai, a copy of the passport, an electronic copy of a medical report or disability card from the country of origin and a recent photograph.

News Source: Khaleej Times