[Excerpt: Police officials said yesterday over 800 vehicles were seized by the authorities over the last two years, under a provision in the law which bans the use of a vehicle for purposes other than those for which it has been licensed. Police officials say the practice “could put the airport’s reputation in jeopardy”.]
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2005/March/theuae_March495.xml§ion=theuae ‘Illegal’ private vehicles risk airport’s reputation By a correspondent 17 March 2005 DUBAI — The interest of passengers flying out of Dubai from terminal 1 and 2 of Dubai International Airport, and individuals using their private cars or general transport pickups to take travellers to and from the airport, appear to have crisscrossed, with the former trying to avoid payment of hefty taxi fares and the latter attempting to make ends meet by getting some extra dirhams to keep themselves afloat financially. But these interlaced interests have had a short life. Traffic police, and even airport security, have been seeking to put a stop to the practice, though their efforts have not been a complete success. Police officials said yesterday over 800 vehicles were seized by the authorities over the last two years, under a provision in the law which bans the use of a vehicle for purposes other than those for which it has been licensed. Police officials say the practice “could put the airport’s reputation in jeopardy”. Colonel Omar Hasan Al Attar, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Airport Security, said: “Collective efforts must be made to eliminate the phenomenon of using vehicles for purposes other than those to which they have been licensed. It has been noticed that vehicles (not taxis) are being used to take travellers and tourists to and from the airport. There are vehicles (taxis) that operate in accordance with a system reflecting the civilised image of the UAE.” The official, who discussed the problem with other airport security and traffic officials yesterday at the Police Council for Airport Service, said it was noticed in the recent past that some people, whom he described as ‘intruders’, come to the airport to transport travellers in their private cars to their destinations. Col Al Attar said police had detected violations by around 800 vehicles in 2003 and 2004, which were impounded by the authorities. Motorists were accused of violating loading and offloading rules. The official said police action had reduced the phenomenon, adding that Dubai airport was witnessing a huge rise in passenger traffic and its performance and superior services led to many international awards. “We, with our partners at the airport, will not allow any one to adversely affect the reputation of the airport or violate the rules for personal gains,” said Col Al Attar. He said his administration was keen on providing all security services at all times. Officials said the police were strengthening relations with their partners at the airport “in finding quick solutions to problems”. But many residents do not feel that there was a problem in this practice. “I do not see any thing wrong of somebody wanted to take me in his nice-looking and clean car to the airport for less money than the amount I would pay to a taxi,” said Yasser N., an Arab expatriate. “I cannot see any violation of rules here, as the decision to go to the airport in a private car is solely mine and that of the car owner,” he added. Maher N., another Arab expatriate, could not agree more. “I do think that such a thing would affect the reputation of any airport,” he said. The phenomenon is not that rampant, according to a cross-section of people interviewed by this paper. However, one expatriate said the decision to use a small pickup, usually used for transportation of general goods, to go the airport was a necessary one as taxis are too busy during the afternoon period and travellers want to reach the airport in time to catch the plane. “My wife and I had to use a general transportation pickup a fortnight ago around 1pm, because the taxi I called never came, and I found an Asian man in a pickup offering his service. I paid him Dh15. The taxi would have cost me Dh25,” said the expatriate. enditem ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> DonorsChoose. A simple way to provide underprivileged children resources often lacking in public schools. Fund a student project in NYC/NC today! http://us.click.yahoo.com/EHLuJD/.WnJAA/cUmLAA/TySplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? 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