In a scenario, wherein you’ve left a shopping bag in the trunk of a taxi in Dubai, would you consider reporting it to the authorities, or would you just let it slide? Others presume that things they’ve lost or left behind in the cab will never be recovered, but that’s not the case in the UAE.
Remember this, and the authorities here mean it: nothing is really ever lost in the UAE, no matter how big or small it is.
In Dubai for instance, the entire emirate is mapped by Dubai Police, and the police have tied up with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to check on valuables left behind in taxis or even buses. In fact, even a fil excess to the actual taxi fare is given back to the rider, thanks to the ever-dependable authorities and agencies who are willing to go great lengths.
Saved the day
After spending some wonderful days in Dubai, a couple reached Dubai International Airport less than two hours before their flight home in April 2018. But something just does not feel right. They realized that their cell phone, loaded with hundreds of photographs from their trip to the UAE, was missing. “I realized that I had forgotten my iPhone in the cab that had dropped me, so I immediately ran out to check if the cab was still there, unfortunately it wasn’t there anymore,” said the man in a Facebook post.
He didn’t have the cab number or the name of the driver, so he rushed to the only people he thought could help him out – the police. “The officer just asked for a few details like the cab color, where I had boarded, what time I reached the airport and how much fare I paid,” wrote the man. In 20 minutes, he was reunited with his phone. “And trust me when I say exactly 20 minutes. I think Dubai police is the most effective and efficient police force,” he posted.
Back to where it belongs
This international city of over 200 nationalities – not to mention the millions of tourists (8.1 million in the first half of 2018, according to Dubai Tourism ) – is replete with stories of Good Samaritan taxi drivers who would go the extra mile to return a cell phone left by a passenger, for instance; or make sure you got your change right.
There are reported incidents of misfits, but none that was not dealt with accordingly; all that a customer needed to do is file a complaint.
Lost, found and returned
In fact, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), which has jurisdiction over the city’s approximately 10,000 taxis, said it received close to 69,000 reports about lost items last year and found 64% of them.
RTA said these lost and found items included 16,607 mobile phones; 7,878 travel bags; 3,975 wallets; 1,136 passports; 1,880 important keys and cards; 955 eyeglasses; 542 computers; and 872 sunglasses.
Additionally, it also found lost jewelry, cash amounts and precious items estimated to be worth Dh480,000 or US$60,678.
The Filipino Times learned that Pinoys were often among those who have left belongings in the taxi.
Most of these are mobile phones and keys, RTA officials said, noting that Filipinos — visitors and residents alike, are among most frequent taxi customers..
Meantime, HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has noted an 86% drop in the number of customer complaints among taxi riders in Dubai between 2016 and 2018.
He attributed this to efforts by taxi operators toward educating drivers about the applicable laws as well as an incentive program through a package of initiatives to increase drivers’ satisfaction and raise the appeal of the taxis sector to talented drivers who have the potential of contributing to the quality of services provided.
Indeed, most Filipinos interviewed, especially those who have been in the UAE for about 10 years, agreed that there have been changes in the taxi drivers’ attitudes. “They are more polite these days,” said Arsenio Caoili, who said he has been riding taxis since before the RTA metro was inaugurated.
Still, some issue remain and RTA officials assured these are all being addressed.
How the system works
If you’ve lost an item in Dubai transport, it would go through a system before reaching you to ensure that you are its rightful owner. First, the rider should contact the RTA hotline (8009090), as soon as possible. Then, s/he must provide them with the required details of the missing item as well as the details of the trip and contact number. In case of finding someone else’s belongings, s/he must give them to the customer service center.
For drivers who found an item in their taxis, they must surrender it to their taxi company, which will store the item for safekeeping while coordinating with RTA Dubai to report it. Pertinent details will be asked.
What happens after you report it to RTA
RTA creates reference number that you can follow up.
If you reported your missing item on the same day, and you have the complete details need, you may get your item within the day.
What you must remember
It is important to get the taxi receipt so you would easily have the details of the driver and the taxi. In case you don’t have the receipt or you can’t remember the taxi, you should remember the following and mention it to your report: pick up location, estimated time of pick up, drop off location, estimated time of drop off location.
Good Samaritan on wheels
The Filipino Times did more than just scratching the surface and talked to hundreds of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have had noteworthy experiences riding the taxi.
Here are their stories:
Beth Fabic, general manager at a facility management company, overpaid the taxi driver in her rush to a meeting. “My bill was Dh15. I gave him Dh100 then I rushed out. The driver did not leave and instead honked his car after which I came back. He scolded me because I did not take my change.)
Vince Ang, a business unit head at one of Dubai’s media outfits, has this a story about receiving change that was Dh50 short. “They (RTA) called me to say that the driver will come back and give my change. They followed up the next day and I told them the driver has not showed up. RTA told that if the driver does not return soon they will fine and suspend him. They called a couple of times that day to make sure that the driver shows up,” he said.
Another experience was about a valuable that he forgot in the taxi and got back after two hours.
Forgot it
Meantime, Josh Sadek, a news reporter, recalled a taxi driver who told him, as he was getting in, that he first had to make a round on the next corner and that he wouldn’t start the fare meter as he does so.
“I asked why?” said Sadek.
“The driver, who was holding a cell phone, told me the phone was left behind by its owner who managed to place a call through a friend and gave him instructions on how he could get it back,” he narrated.
Borrowed
Kelly Ignacio, who works at a remittance company, said a kind-hearted taxi driver helped her through a predicament.
“I needed to make an emergency call but my phone was dead. I asked the driver if he could lend me his mobile and make a call. The driver handed it to me without any hesitation,” she said.
Laptop
Lien Ambricio of Abu Dhabi got cold spine when he realized he left his laptop inside the taxi he rode in on his way to work. He said reported the matter and, sure enough, got his laptop back the following day. (Jojo Dass)
Complaint procedure vs. wayward drivers
Just as there are Good Samaritans on wheels, there also are erring ones, but none that can be dealt with accordingly.
“May mga drivers na nagdedesisyon na lang sila kung saan nila gustong dumaan without asking the approval of the passenger,” said Camilla Iman, personality development mentor.
(There are drivers who decide on their own which was to go without asking the approval of the passenger.)
“And so, I complained, likewise mentioning that the driver was rude,” she added.
Iman said she was given a reference number through SM and as well received a call from RTA to check if the subject of complaint has been addressed.
“Kinukuha ko ang taxi number at yun ang nirereport ko. But most of the time, yung receipt kasi andun na lahat ng details,” she said. (I get the taxi’s body number and report it. But most of the time, I rely on the receipt because all information are there.)
Meantime, Joan Baraquia-Calderon had a brush with an ill-mannered taxi driver who demeaned her after she paying in loose change. After Calderon reached her destination at her office, she didn’t get off the cab and instead reported the matter immediately to the police, as well as to her boss.
“A few minutes later, dumating ang mga police, they asked me questions and explained that if I filed a case against the driver, he will be jailed and eventually be deported right after,” Calderon said.
She said she eventually decided against pressing charges. “We left the taxi driver with the policeman interrogating him and taking his license,” she said.
Swift action
Still another lady by the name of ‘Bernadette’ spoke to The Filipino Times and lauded the efforts of RTA for swift action against one of their drivers. “This taxi driver was awful, rude, and drove so badly that I just had to report him to the authorities.”
Bernadette was told that RTA will investigate just a few days following her call. And justice was swift as within merely several days, RTA called.
“RTA informed me that they have since received a couple of reports from the same driver and that the driver has been terminated,” she said.
All three ladies said that since then Dubai’s RTA had gone through a shift when it comes to educating their drivers and are thankful that the new batch are not as disrespectful as the drivers before.
Another incident involved Vince Ang, a business unit head at one of Dubai’s media outfits, and it was about a driver under training, who did not have knowledge of good conversational English.
On training
“Nahirapan kami pumunta sa pupuntahan ko kasi di siya marunong ng basic English, kahit right or left. I called RTA while nasa taxi and we agreed na bumaba na lang ako and look for another taxi. They called me twice to get more details and finally they informed me that the driver is on training and observation and will be deployed only when ready,” he said.
(I had difficulty getting to where I was headed because he could not speak English, not even as basic as right or left.)
