An image of the Yango app. Photo: Yango
An image of the Yango app. Photo: Yango
An image of the Yango app. Photo: Yango
An image of the Yango app. Photo: Yango

'Russia's Google' launches ride-hailing app Yango in Dubai


Anjana Sankar
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A new ride-hailing app operated by Russia's answer to Google has hit the road in Dubai after a trial.

Yango, part of web and search engine portal Yandex, launched in Dubai on Thursday.

Commuters can use the service by downloading the Yango app available on App Store and Google Play.

A trial began two weeks ago, with the company saying it saw “good demand” for a permanent roll-out.

Dubai is one of the most influential economic centres of the region attracting investments and people from all over the world
Yango spokeswoman

Uber, Careem and Hala Taxi are already part of the competitive taxi-hailing market in the emirate.

Commuters can also book taxi services through the RTA Public Transport App, Abu Dhabi Taxi and S’hail App.

A Yango representative said they are expanding to Dubai as there is a “demand for high-quality and high-tech ride-hailing service”.

“Dubai is one of the most influential economic centres of the region attracting investments and people from all over the world,” they said.

“And we believe that comfort and smart technologies that Yango brings to the customers can really make a big change providing a new level of service.”

A Yango Deli delivery driver collects a test delivery prior to the opening of their new store in London on October 6, 2021. Reuters
A Yango Deli delivery driver collects a test delivery prior to the opening of their new store in London on October 6, 2021. Reuters

Yango taxis are available in two different tariffs — comfort and premium.

“We focus on high-level service which include amazing cars like Lexus ES and Mercedes S-class,” said the representative.

Lexus ES cars will be available for hire in the comfort range, with GMC Yukon Denali, Cadillac Escalade and Mercedes S-class featured in the premium class.

A trip from the One & Only Royal Mirage hotel to Mall of the Emirates — which is about 8km — will cost Dh52.5 in comfort tariff and Dh56 in premium.

A ride from La Mer Beach to Dubai Mall will typically cost about Dh39 in comfort tariff and Dh42 in premium.

The company said it uses its own mapping, routing, and navigation system.

However, the official did not disclose how many Yango taxis are currently available on Dubai roads.

“Yango doesn’t operate its own cars or drivers. As in most of our markets, we work only with local transportation serviced providers. They select drivers in accordance with local legislation,” the official told The National.

Yango has a presence in more than 20 countries including Finland, Norway, Serbia, Ivory Coast and Ghana. They plan to expand to other parts of Europe as well as Africa and Latin America.

Yandex launched a grocery delivery service from Carrefour supermarkets in Dubai with its robot couriers this year.

The company is viewed as Russia's version of tech giant Google.

Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net

Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.

Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.

A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.

Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.

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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
UAE jiu-jitsu squad

Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)

Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

THE SPECS

Engine: 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 626bhp

Torque: 900Nm

Price: Dh1,050,000

On sale: now

Company profile

Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space

Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)

Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)

Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi 

Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution) 

Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space  

Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019

Updated: September 29, 2022, 2:28 PM`