Passengers complain of bad taxi experiences
Bad Taxi Drivers, Meters, Tactics and Private Taxi Drivers
Yesterday, I was just charged 50% extra over the regular fare that I normally pay. The Taxi number was 2255. When asked why, the Driver said, 'both the car and the meter was cleared this morning' even though the driver is aware and complained about it to the personnel who check the meters daily. This is bad and not my first bad experience with Karwa. The taxis by Al Ijarah are much more accurate and reliable.
Some drivers even dare to put night meter ON during day time. On 21st September 2014 at 8am, I just caught one with Taxi driver (number plate 3924) doing that. According to his meter, I was going to be charged 50% extra again. When confronted, he asked me to pay the regular fare and then left.
We, as passengers, certainly don’t deserve crappy Meters after being picked up. We also don’t deserve this kind of service for bypassing private taxi drivers, who are ever present on the roads and one of the prime reasons why there are more number of vehicles on the roads (causing heavy traffic jams) Stand on any road near Ras Abu Aboud to New World Center and you will see how many thrive there. Even they don’t have any shame in charging 50% to 100% extra over the regular fares.
The behavior of taxi drivers are also worth a mention. Almost all taxi drivers are becoming selective of:
- Whom to pick? [ The drivers prefer picking up Women or people from the West (sorry no disrespect intended if you are a woman or someone from the West. It is the way it is). Other nationalities are overlooked ]; and
- Which direction to go? [ Thanks to ‘targets to meet daily’, the drivers point-blank refuse to go short distances or to areas where he thinks there could be traffic jams ]
My question is: What is the purpose of having a public service like Taxis when we are not picked when we want to, or not dropped where we want to go?
Sometimes I feel like dumping the public service taxi’s all together and begin negotiating with private taxi drivers instead, just like how many do. At least, they have the courtesy of honking and asking if we need a ride, just like in the good old days.
Regards
A Resident of Qatar
@ Molten Metal... I wake up as early as 4.30am and have always been puntual at that. I dont drink or smoke or dont do anything thats not accepted in this society (although there are many who do that) Yes you may have your responsibilties but I have to reach on time at work, otherwise they will cut for turning up late, irrespestive of the gender. So to be discriminated by gender by a taxi driver is what buggs me.
Krisp , Perfect observation ............... Wed, 01.10.2014, 09.38 hrs
Hehehehe Al Nasr to Al Dafna normally fee by meter apx.15 off-meter normally asking for 20 but the problem is it never end there!! next time if we offer 20 same as yesterday driver will say 25... if we offer 25 they will ask 30. buy a car and enjoy heavy traffic, exciting dangerous road adventure of street of Qatar will be better choice.
after telling them where you wanna go... thier famous line is " how much will you pay? "
gimky, lol.
Well said , Except One thing the Rash driving of Karwa drivers, If I have gun in my hand I may killed many of them
There may be a valid reason to pick women or western on priorty ... like a woman has to reach her destination early because she has triple responsibility 1 Her hubby 2 her kids 3 her kitchen, whereas western usually 're in hurry because they sleep very late & find difficult to wake up early ....... .................... Tue, 30.09.2014, 09.48 hrs