Cabbies feel threatened by limousine services
Taxi drivers feel threatened by the increasing number of limousines in Doha and have their own ranks in malls and hypermarkets.
“I have seen new limousines operated by at least seven companies on Doha streets in just a few months,” said a driver of Alijarah, who was irked by the presence of limousines in key areas in the city where taxis frequently ply.
Limousines drive around and pick up customers on the streets like regular taxis, which taxi drivers find unfair.
At a popular hypermarket in Doha, limousines are given priority by the management, having their stand located before the taxi rank.
According to an employee of the limousine company, the management has signed an agreement with the hypermarket to have its own stand like regular taxis.
“Actually, we don’t want to come to this area because there is a lot of competition,” said an Al Million driver.
He said it had been normal to witness limousine and taxi drivers fighting over a customer.
Despite the competition, many customers, however, prefer taxis to limousines because of the cheaper rates they offer.
While minimum fare for taxis is QR10, limousines normally charge QR15 but could go down only after negotiations which sometimes turn into arguments with customers.
Only one limousine company has the meter system, while all other limousines charge their own rates, and taxi drivers and customers doubt they are being regulated by transport authorities.
Some taxi drivers however welcome the presence of limousines, especially during peak hours when there is shortage of taxis.
“Although there are three taxi companies here, people find it hard to get a taxi between 7am and 9am,” said an Alijarah taxi driver.
With the onset of summer, the competition is becoming severe as mercury is shooting up and the number of customers dropping.
Reposted from The Peninsula | Photo by Joseph Suasin (QL Flickr)
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public transportation service is very poor in Qatar
taxi operators are complaining about the presence of limo???it is good to have this limo because taxi cannot meet the demand and besides they are so choosy on taking passengers.....much better for the govt to clamp down on this private taxis and confiscate their license to lessen the traffic everywhere....
Karwa drivers behaves as if they are king of the road. They are very unprofessional. Yesterday, My car went bad. I had no choice execpt taking taxi to return home from Sanaya to Abu Hamour. I have asked at least ten vacant taxi, no body is interested go out of that area. One or two driver was agree to go with a high fixed charge. I guess nobody is monitoring them, public transportation is very poor here.
I think there should be alternative to karwa. The drivers have become so proud and unfriendly. The other day i was in landmark and I wanted to go back home. he asked me the area and told me that he will take this much amount. I told him you have meter so use that and I will pay how much meter shows. he said no meter, i told him I will complain to your Office and he said ok go ahead. there were 3 taxis and all of them refused. I really felt like go and beat the hell out of them but did not coz I was with my family. Karwa s**** big time.
Why are they complaining? At first they enjoyed monopoly that makes them to feel they are on top of the world. Also most of them are cheats and when you discover their pranks, they complain they have to meet target and the only way left to them is to cheats. So they have no mouth to complain at all..... these people (Limousines) are offering best services, you call them, they are on time, on like Karwa, that they move at the middle of the lane as if they are doing car racing.... Most of them should sit tight and face their work squarely and also think of how to improve their services.
Most of the taxi drivers are telling to me where to go not where am i want to go and we wanna pay to them, and also they don't go for a small ride or near by area,
Honestly i prefer all the time ride on limousine services
I dont think we really can call these karwa, al ijarah and al million taxis a service. As previously someone said, they do take customers only by selecting. Some drivers will look at your face like some minutes to give a reply that they can go or no. I do agree there are some good drivers also. The majority runs without the meter. I have experienced many times the drivers removing sensors down from the seats. Sometimes people do agree with the price they say just to avoid waiting for another. In my personal experience I say in Qatar I see the worst ever taxi service. There is no more explanations needed why people depends limousines...
Karawa taxis and Al million has all the worsts services (worst.. careless, drivers .. road violators, selecting or declined passengers at their convenience what more...... a lot more ..... )
just experienced today AM while crossing the street (not main road) Karwa taxi drivng at speed and almost hit me intentionally.
Most of the Karwa texi drivers they don't take me to Salwa Road from Al Mansoura. but limousine they able to go.
Most of these taxi drivers try to steal from you. The fare is often cheaper in the limousine than in a stinking dirty taxi with a bad driver and a bad attitude to match. I have no sympathy at all for these taxi drivers. Their bad behavior is what has led to the growing demand for limos.
Most of drivers will not go to all places due to traffic and moreover very poor service...
There are some taxi drivers cheating customers. When using meter in day time the tariff should show "0" but most of Al-Million drivers using "1" which is charging at night.