Car ride hailing Careem logo (Photo: Careem)
UAE-based cab hailing company Careem raised their fares on Monday in Egypt to cope with the recent hike in fuel prices, according to a statement by the company emailed to Ahram Online.
Head of Careem Egypt Operations and Vice President of Careem Care Ramy Kato said in the statement that “Careem works carefully to avoid putting additional burdens on its drivers while maintaining quality standards of our customers.”
The statement said that the updated fare differs from one city to another.
The company currently operates in several areas including Cairo, Alexandria, Mansoura, Damanhour, Sharqiya, as well as the Red Sea’s El-Gouna and the Mediterranean’s North Coast.
For customers in Cairo, a “value ride” has a starting fare of EGP 5.5, with EGP 2.21 per km and a waiting charge of EGP 46 per hour, while Alexandria has a set starting fare of EGP 6.5, with EGP 2.20 per km and a waiting charge of EGP 36 per hour.
“The company has temporarily suspended the peak factor feature for one week, from 13 to 20 July, and will bear the cost of all price differences throughout this period,” Kato said, adding that the welfare of customers is a “top priority” for Careem.
It is unclear if Careem’s rival, San Francisco-based Uber, will follow suit and increase fares.
The Egyptian government recently cut fuel subsidies for the second time in less than one year.
In November 2016, Egypt’s petroleum ministry announced fuel subsidy cuts as part of its fiscal reform programme, after which Careem increased drivers' wages to cope with the fuel price hikes.
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