Crackdown on illegal private taxis..

Need 5000 taxi's in Qatar,then we can resolve this all probz.....ryt?

@ UkEngQatar : +1 dude!

Brit you plonker now who is gonna take me to the Airport on time? Cannot rely on Karwa to be on time. So my Bangaldeshi private driver is very reliable on time every time..:)

Brit, as long as there is no public system satisfying the public demand, the law is useless. First: put a public transport system in place, then eradicate the illegal operations. Like it is now, many are left clueless, and it certainly does not support the growth of Qatar as a country! The Vision 2030 is just that: a vision.

LP: Would you consider using illegal taxis ?

They issue a lot of stupid laws in Qatar!

without these "illegal" taxis we cannot get to work!

The blue-taxi drivers are almost always very capable, well trained and courteous.

The blue-taxi drivers are poorly paid and sometimes have been the subject of dubious contracts that leave them stranded here for years until they can go home.

The blue-taxi drivers are usually pretty honest (if you MAKE them use the meter), I know the streets well and have never had a blue-taxi try to take me on a circuitous route home.

Today I got a lift from a kind Qatari gentleman, no fee.

I happily use illegal taxis, because it is nigh impossible to get a blue-taxi from Keratyat.

I have never been able to book or prearrange a blue-taxi by phone. They either couldn't find our house or expect too much notice.

If Toyota ever give me my car back i won't need to use a taxi!

When I first came to Qatar in 2002 catching a taxi was easy. Back then the orange taxis were on the streets. Then when they got rid of those and got the karwa taxis getting a taxi was like getting a picture of big foot. Even when calling in they still would show up

Ate picking you up or not show up at all. The service is horrible.

They need to improve the service and put more taxis on the street.

But wot if the driver is just helping the guy walking on the road who cudnt find a taxi for a long time in the son ?

Lying is so easy, but the Police are not stupid. There have also been cases where in the case of a serious accident, the survivor has been put in jail till the issue of blood money has been resolved - In one case I personaly know, he was actually made to pay part of the monies, since he was a passenger in the car that killed someone else.

@ britexpat : and how exactly are they gonna prove that the guy driving the car is an illegal taxi driver? lying is so easy in these cases... and besides... i'm not the one driving...

What people forget is that private taxis are not properly insured. If there is an accident and someone dies, you could be liable.

I do not ask for money, infact i only help ppl for free to reach thier place if they stay on my way.

Will they even fine me for this ?

yeah... they are enough legal taxis, but they are still expensive... still 10 QR for a pickup in addition to the actual fees

very bad move,atleast first fulfill the requirements for local transportation,if they can't then why the hell ,they wanna show we are improving..

I think there is no need of a crackdown. Fulfill the demand and private taxis will hush away from Qatar roads themselves. People still prefer a professionally managed system of transport.

for this we have to look for many things..

ok..illegal is illegal,but recently i read that 300 al million taxis are on road..but that taxys only we can see on town area but what about ouside doha?off course the private taxis are the only solution.many taxys are not ready to go to alkhor and all..300 or 500 taxys are nothing for a country like qatar...

This is partly because we just keep to ourselves in our life.

A neighbour or friend's help should be considered before venturing out, I believe.

stand in the hot and humid sun for half an hour and I bet you will not get a legal taxi.

basic transportation facilities needs to be made before imposing such rules,else the common man will suffer, and these illegal stuff will go on since there is a demand for it.

in dubai you stand outside for 5 mins, 50 taxis will pass by, here you stand for 5 mins and you will be lucky if you see one and very very lucky if it stops.

too early and too difficult to manage.

Hehehe, only cab firms and his drivers get benefit from this "cracking-down".

moza, It is the State's onus to fill in the demand supply gap either by introducing more taxis in its own company or by allowing a local businessman to compete.

The expat population of Qatar would be gradually increasing over the next decade. This may be a major issue the country has to face during the world cup.

One more... Many Green Cab Drivers doing private taxi Service after their legal job. What about this?

Agree with you there is less taxis in Qatar. But have not the feel its insufficient inside Doha atleast. You can see many green cabs, but no one will not stop at you. If there is 3-4 cabs are in a stretch.. even though nobody will turn your side. No idea where they are going!!

How many minutes a person can stay waiting for a taxi under the sun on this climate even its in a shade or not.

There is no wonder the dramatic increase of private taxis'. Sure its a business, driving private taxis' and know many making more than 200Qrs/day after all expenses.

Legal taxis'

1. The driver should like the outlook of the pax

2. The pax should be a person needs to travel more distance

3. The pax needs to be the driver friendly

4. Even recent past found a few, driving without putting meter (Al Million)

5. Ladies friendly.

Private Taxi

1. agree the tariff, go anywhere. No demands..!! Completely at your service.

What about the taxi who ask to turn on the meter or not? I was told that the one who wears red/blue ID necklace indicates whether he is employed or independent driver. It's annoying sometimes when being ask to choose with or without meter fares. What's your thought?

You are actually talking about a different althought related problem. First of all, the government authorized taxis are far less in number than needed to fulfill the needs. That is a key problem. We need to resolve that one first. Yes, then we have to think about the quality of service that these cars and their drivers deliver. Of course, that is equally important. However, the private, illegal taxi drivers are in business not because the legal ones are rude, or improperly trained. It mainly because the legal cabs are too less in number.

impressive... but how many of us get a taxi under the sun for a short trip? If its Al Million or Karwa, how many of you pass the arrogant faced questions to enter into the car??

Else, you should be a lady for exemption. Agree or Not??

Authorities at first must give proper training to the legal drivers how to behave to the pax, how to drive on roads. Having merely a licence is not meant authorised to do anything on roads.

I guess they were the tuk-tuk drivers back home.

The government needs to protect its monopoly, there is no such thing as free trade in Qatar. Anyway Qataris don't use taxis even when drinking in hotels so why should they care?

Better late then Never!!!

But the fact remains there are 300 + Karwa Taxis out here in Doha, which is not that much if you compare it with Dubai. I have seen lots of Taxis standing either at the QR Tower, 5* Hotels, & have seen hardly any empty taxis on the streets of Doha...

I think the the number of taxis is very less than adequate.

Good move. illegal taxis are just that !

I have not really noticed any Al Million cabs on the road! I guess people still have to wait for long..

My question is, why does the government not allow or rather encourage a private national entrepreneur to start the service which could fill in the demand supply gap?