Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
The Ajman Transport Authority (Ajman Transport) has announced the achievement of a significant milestone in converting the entire taxi fleet in the emirate to 100 per cent eco-friendly vehicles.
This is part of the Authority's ambitious strategic plans, which are designed to reinforce its leadership in adopting the principles of sustainability within Ajman's transport system.
To date, 2,274 eco-friendly vehicles have been deployed, with these vehicles collectively making more than 8,598,399 journeys. The vehicles included a variety of options, such as gas and electric vehicles, as well as hybrid vehicles, with the objective of reducing fuel consumption and minimising carbon emissions.
Omar Mohammed Lootah, Director General of Ajman Transport, has stated that the Authority has set itself the objective of converting 100% of taxi vehicles to eco-friendly vehicles by 2030.
He further noted that the achievement of this goal has been made possible by the Authority's continuous efforts and thoughtful plans, which have contributed to its realisation ahead of schedule. In addition, the Authority has provided comprehensive support to taxi companies in order to incentivise them to join this pioneering initiative.
Lootah asserted that the Authority had taken a proactive stance in introducing modern eco-friendly technologies. He noted that 2015 marked the advent of hybrid vehicles into the taxi market in Ajman, where the Transport Authority had taken the initiative to support taxi companies in encouraging and urging them to utilise eco-friendly vehicles.
In 2022, the Authority boosted the fleet of taxis in the emirate with electric vehicles, which had demonstrated their efficacy in the transport market. He highlighted that Ajman's commitment to reducing carbon emissions is aligned with the UAE's broader sustainability objectives.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in eco-friendly vehicles as part of the national transport strategy, reflecting a comprehensive approach aimed at enhancing quality of life and reducing environmental impact. This reflects the vision of the UAE's leadership in building a sustainable society.
The Emirate of Ajman is pursuing further progress in the field of sustainable transport in the coming years. This is being done by modernising policies and laws and making them flexible to suit the rapid changes in the field of transport.
Lootah also explained that this approach constitutes an indispensable component of the emirate's strategic plan. The transition towards electric and autonomous vehicles represents a pivotal stride towards regional leadership in the field of transportation, thereby establishing a model to be emulated at the regional level.