Mga Cab Driver na Pinoy sa Abu Dhabi

Dahil sa pagpasok ng ibat ibang foreign workers, ang gobyerno has devised a new transportation system. eto lang, buses were introduced with designated routes, numbered as 32,5,7,and 54. The great thing in this country is that when a new service line is being introduced, it’s gratis. So the buses would be servicing the commuters for free in until the end of this year. Sana forever na lang.
Also the old cabs are being phased out. Kaya naman pakonti ng pakonti na sila. The same way that the government phases out old buildings (unlike in the Philippines that old buildings are presumably regulated, substance over form, until the building actually collapsed hahahaha). Majority of the cab drivers are Pakistanis and Indians who actually are here for almost a decade and some more than a quarter of century, that left their home to make a living through driving (un lang ang alam gawin). I am thinking and would definitely be amazed to find out that they do profit from these as drivers. As you probably know, there’s a pool of oil in the Gulf. Hence oil, gas and electricity are oddly 90% cheaper here than in the Philippines. With that, they are collecting an average of AED 5 (PhP60) per route. Sounds like Philippines’ rate? A PhP25-route is actually possible here. That’s in Abu Dhabi. Remember, in Dubai cabs are skyrocketly metered. It’s almost 300% higher there. Unbelievable, but true. Now you can draft your analytics how the cost of living differs between the two emirates.

Hindi natin alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa mga old cab drivers. Siguro eh magaaply din sila sa bagong taxi companies o di kaya eh uuwi na lang. The franchise to operate new taxis are awarded to seven companies last year. Phase out plan will be for three years which already started. The new cabs metering is 25% higher than the old ones. With the benefit of well-groomed driver (in a uniform) and of course the new car/unit. The drivers of these new cabs are Indians, Nepalis and Pakistanis in a better version (if you know what I mean).
And here’s the unexpected news-turned-live reality. One of the seven companies which were awarded a franchise actually hired 200 Filipinos to be drivers. There are 50 of them hitting the road by now, may mga nakita na ba kayo?.

My random thoughts:
Increase in OFW attributable to Filipino cab drivers
Filipinos were preferred by Tawa-Sul Car Company because they (a) are responsible (b) are most hygienic of all nationalities (c) have most agreeable rate to the car company (d) whatelse?
As these kababayans hit the road soon they’ll be surprised that there’s (a) no traffic in Abu Dhabi, 2 minutes IS heavy traffic (b) a disadvantage if you have a dog nose (like me!) that you should refrain breathing from the nose or else you’re gonna die from the human pollution (ah, um, ang baho talaga nung iba!) (c) that they’d wish Filipino lang ang passengers nila
They should learn the basic Arabic, Hindi, etc., i.e. directions at least
Kabayan, more than hitting the road with care, you should treat your passengers and other drivers (car owners and cab drivers) so well. Especially if it’s a local. Kahit ikaw ang tama, wala kang laban sa batas nila. As in.

Long live Abu Dhabi, mababango na ang mga cab drivers. Drive so carefully.