Careem, in collaboration with TransAD, has introduced a new programme to provide flexible and safe income earning opportunities to Emiratis and sons and daughters of Emirati women living in Abu Dhabi.
Under the initiative, UAE nationals can now opt to register on the Careem platform and drive private vehicles as part of a new initiative to open up jobs to the local workforce. The service will be priced in line with taxis in the capital and customers will be able to book rides originating in anywhere in Abu Dhabi.
Mohammed Al Qemzi, General Manager of TransAD, said, “We have been working closely with our partners at Careem to provide technology-enabled mobility in Abu Dhabi since 2013. It is a great milestone that we can now bring to our city more affordable rides and at the same time empower our UAE national workforce with a new way to earn a regular, flexible income in a safe and regulated environment. We are excited about engaging the sons and daughters of Abu Dhabi in this very promising move towards inclusion into the workplace.”
Careem has begun an outreach programme targeting UAE nationals and sons and daughters of Emirati women to promote the new initiative and to invite eligible Emirati Captains – Careem refers to its drivers as “Captains” – to register on their website. Training sessions will be conducted in Abu Dhabi to upskill Captains on how to use Careem technology; best driving practices; vehicle and road safety, and customer service. Careem offers all Captains additional benefits including support while applying for a vehicle, health insurance, personal finance training, and discounts on fuel and groceries.
Ahead of qualifying to drive for Careem, all Captains go through rigorous screening and background checks including character references and driving history. To qualify for the programme, they will need to have local residency, be aged 23 and above, with a minimum of five years of driving experience.
Samir Satchu, Senior Director of Government Relations and Public Policy at Careem, said, “Careem and TransAD are taking the right step in enabling Emirati participation in the ride-hailing economy with their own private vehicles and at no premium to taxis. This is a first for the UAE. We hope to be able to demonstrate over time that the Careem platform can be a significant driver of local economic empowerment in Abu Dhabi and across some of our other GCC markets.”
