Karwa nightmares

for me, just for me, let it pass. Just consider it like making a tip. Meaning, just pay what the meter say. What's the difference between a "1" and "0" if say you travel 10 kms?

Do you think these cheaters will never have their days? They are just accumulating something that will give them the corresponding karma.

...and when we discuss that there is no alternative public transport to karwa, there is a majority of under privileged people depending heavily on a cheaper, alternate transport to earn money for their daily bread.

Adding to what BellaBule said,When i came into Doha, I too felt handicapped and incovenienced when karwa services did not turn up even after being requested over phone.If there are 10 million people in Doha, without the government supporting an efficient and reliable public transport mechanism( trains/trams/bus), there would be atleast 9 million steel contraptions burning fuel, clogging the roads and fighting for the same parking space.

These days, passing through 3 traffic lights in Al Corniche could take 5 - 10 minimum. In few years time, this city might have more than the number of cars in New York . We might get to hear more ramblings from QL patrons at that time.

Cheers

I dont know but I am getting this feeling (and I may be absolutely wrong) that I am targetted for the sentence "if you don't like it, then leave..."...if that be pl. read my post again. If not, then ignore this post, as I said I may be absolutely wrong.

Thanks DC

I phoned the complaints dept of Karwa and the guy said he would call the driver. No feedback of course.

all this guy: Clyde Mazumdar | Administration Manager

Taxi & Limousine | Mowasalat

DL: +974 44588805 | Fax: +974 44588692

Email: [email protected] | Web: mowasalat.com

He is his their operation manager. and even tho i know you gonna end up being ignored just like how he did to me but at least you tried to make your voice heard.

@zirkwander - So many solutions if you'll use your eyes and not your mouth.

How rude....I can blow a little steam off and post a forum on QL if I like! Its an issue about living in Qatar, is that not what the website is called "Qatar Living". The fact that its already been discussed on here and in papers suggests that its a huge problem.

End of the day, Karwas are here in the country to provide a service. So just because they are not doing their job properly, I should find other means of transport? I don't feel comfortable getting in a random car for them to become my 'private driver' and who are you to tell me what to do with my money and rent a car. Apart from that, there aren't any other methods of public transport!

I went and got a car to avoid Karwa journeys for goodness sake....so when I don't have the luxury of my car I expect to be able to use a service without hassle and being ripped off.

people just dont really care what u have been through and will say if you dont like it then quit,instead of giving a good advice or solution,what a selfish thinking... :(

Please know that there has been a change in "Karwa system"..I came across a lot of drivers who push the meter real fast and make money, others who dont put on the meter and ask for a nominal amount and those who go as before..Few told me the system is changed now..

Would you like teleportation with your fries this morning?

I was going to say the same thing Bellablue - I hate that stupid saying "if you don't like it, then leave" - ridiculous thing to say because we all have reasons for being here and we all mostly have reasons not to leave!

A small comment on the sorry lack of good public transport and poor taxi service in Doha does not deserve such ridicule.

I am guessing that we have all experienced driving with Karwa at some time or other and I am sure most of our experiences are the same - scary, dangerous and expensive unless you know where you are going and can direct the driver so he doesn't take you on a wild goose chase all round Doha to clock more riyals up on the meter - been there and done that! LOL

It will be interesting to see in the next few years any progress in both the taxi service and bus transport network.

If only the wretched roadworks in Doha got a "hurry up" we would all be much happier but that is pie in the sky stuff if ever there was wishful thinking! :)

I just cannot see Doha coping with all those soccer players expecting "normal things" in 2022!

I really hope the powers that be get their act together and start completing jobs a lot quicker - Salwa Road complete would be a great start! :)

Karwa drivers 'inspired' me to get my driving license and I actually passed it on first try after just 3 weeks of training and now I'm happily driving the streets of Doha and (thank God), I've never been in any car accident.

[Been driving for almost a year now.]

So yeah, I totally feel you. Just thinking of how I've spent three years having to bare with the attitudes of 'most' of those karwa drivers, I just can't go back to those times anymore. I have reached my limit and had to wait to turn 18 so I could go to driving school. And I'm really really glad I did. It's one of the happiest moments of my life lol.

You might want to approach a private driver and ask how much they want you to pay and compare it with the karwa fare. If private is cheaper then better go with it. Else, I think Karwa is still the better choice for safety especially for women. Not all karwa drivers are bad after all. Renting a car is costly and they'll hold on to your passport for a week after you've returned the car so it's not really a good option.

Getting stressed about it will not help. Be calm and you'll have your car in no time. Cheers.

Then just have someone as a private taxi or better yet, rent a car for the days that you're having your car serviced/repaired. So many solutions if you'll use your eyes and not your mouth.

This issue has been talked about several times already on the newspapers as well as here in QL. I think the fact that these drivers from hell are underpaid and add to that the fact that Mowasalat doesn't have any competition at all, then don't expect their services to improve nor see any a lot more "reliable" buses on the streets as that in Dubai.

You know I hate that mindset..."If you don't like it then leave etc..." Its not the solution to a problem. The people on the other side of the sea waiting to fly in will experience the same horrible problem....and so on.

They are the underpaid taxi drivers of the richest country of the world.

The minute you don't have healthy competition, is the minute you get ripped off

most of these karwa taxis put bottled water infront of the meter so that passengers could not see it clearly. just be cautious.

So far the mindset, if you don't like it you are free to leave as many are waiting on the other side of the sea to fly in, doesn't change, guess things aren't going to change in the foreseeable future irrespective of how much lip service goes on.

Yeah...such a stressful journey. There should be decent proper buses introduced or even...............trains! asking a bit much I know but with all the other developments, its a possibility!

Better to have your own driver and develop and business relationship with one.

It is true. It happens to me many times before. I have to argue with them to put the meter first. They are very rude and scary drivers.

I think the city transport authority have a lot to do on public transportation. If one has to showcase to the world that they have really improved,not for local Qataries , of course, but ,for the sake of minority expatriate community.. public trasnportation need to be improved. There need to be more public buses on road which is dependable and reliable.

To change image from a good city to a great city to live in..Encourage citizens to take to car pooling and takeoff much traffic off the congested roads..Lots of lessons to learn from Singapore, Australia, London, build hubs off Doha too to remove traffic within the city. Qatar can do it... if they have the right visionaries and the resolve to do it.

Cheers.

If one thing is true, then it is Karwa = fraudsters.

Tell me one thing that functions smoothly here except for the money which seems right (though how it comes to us is another story) and one free ride from me from anywhere to anywhere as a gift is all yours...:)