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The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has started the implementation of the automated calculation and collection of fines resulting from the delay in replacing ageing taxicabs and limousines with franchise companies and has ceased issuing monthly invoices ever since. The move is part of RTA’s endeavours to achieve financial sustainability of all transactions.
Explaining the procedure, Nasir Al-Haj, Director of Commercial Transport Activities of RTA’s Licensing Agency said, “The automated calculation & collection of fines applicable to the delay in replacing taxis & limousines due for replacement. The procedure is carried out through the e-franchise services system at the time of processing traffic file transactions. RTA had started a gradual application of the system to the smart licensing & traffic system to get franchise companies prepared to the new process and associated electronic procedures.
“The new calculation & collection process is flexible and addresses the needs of franchise companies. Traffic file transactions can be processed once the fine is paid without requiring the removal of the vehicle from the traffic file, which has previously been a pre-condition. It enables the collection of fines at any time without obliging clients to clear pending transactions in their traffic files. Thus, it abolishes the monthly invoicing of fines for the delay in replacement of vehicles that used to be processed manually and require 3-5 working days to prepare and verify the invoice by the organisational units concerned.
“Some electronic controls had been added to the new process to carry out automated verification of some transactions and procedures such as blocking the renewal of registration of a vehicle that has exceeded the operational lifecycle as well as its transfer to any franchise company. The system would not allow the renewal of a contract with a company whose traffic files includes a vehicle that has exceeded the operational lifespan,” explained Al-Haj.
“This process is unique as far as smart licensing & traffic systems are concerned. The system computes daily fines applicable to vehicles that have exceeded the due replacement date. In doing so, it takes into consideration associated factors such as the operational lifespan stated in franchise contracts, vehicle type (sedan, stretch limo), and the validity of the company’s contract. This process encompasses the implementation of governance concepts through minimising risks and promoting transparency with franchise companies by generating notifications of the first automated fines and monthly reminders of due amounts,” added the Director of Commercial Transport Activities at the RTA.
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