Karwa Taxis
I have lived in Qatar for three years now and I do not drive here as I spend my time between Doha and Saudi Arabia so it is not worthwhile having a car here.
During my first 12mths here I used Karwa on a daily basis for work purposes and I got used to the fact that they would turn up an hour late or not turn up at all. Then I came to my senses and begun to call a limo company which proved to be much more reliable (no suprise there)
Two days ago I caught a Karwa from Landmark to Al Waab area and he took me on the longest route possible home and drove like he was in a F1 race. There was a time where I had no idea where he was and he said neither did he. Once I could see the Aspire Tower I felt a little more confident that he knew where he was going. But it was the driving that bothered me more than anything - for the first time in Doha I actually feared for my life in this taxi. I have since laid a complaint - but I am sure it fell on deaf ears.
Today I was at Villagio and just wanting to go not far down the road I was refused a ride by five Karwa drivers before one would take me. I am aware of the minimum charge that now applies and this was no problem.
These drivers are setting their own prices just to meet their daily amount of what they pay for the car.
How will it look when the 2022 visitors are here and Karwa drivers are refusing to take passengers because they only want to go a short distance.
Qatar is trying to promote their country as a tourist destination - what with no public transport readily available I don't think so. Qatar you are a long way off being a tourist destination.
Sorry but I just had to vent my anger and thought this was the place to do it.
Doha Knight, i asked that because you said that one has to ask why they behave as they do...I do not believe that the customer , after having asked this question, is suffering any less, therefore the question is moot. It is not the customers fault or business that a company is treating their employees any which way.
See, it just irks me that people constantly make excuses for bad behaviour of others...
If somebody is not happy with their treatment, they need to do something about it, or simply put up with it if they can't change it. But letting another person suffer because of their problems is simply wrong.
nomerci, did i say it was the customers' fault?
Doha Knight, and how is that the customer's fault?
I am sorry, I still think it is extremely unprofessional behaviour. Sadly something sen a lot around here.
chokdeekap getting a taxi in Dubai was really difficult till 2008, now you can have one wherever you want and taxi drivers are very polite as well.
That happened after the increase in the number of taxis and decrease in expat population happened at the same time. Customer is indeed the king in Dubai as far as taxi service is concerned.
Doha needs more taxis, anyone can figure that out...
maybe those private taxi operators pay some money to the concerned officials else I can't figure out why they don't increase the number of taxis.
nomerci, rude and unprofessional behaviour should definitely be reported against. every taxi driver doesnt behave the way OP has described. if one has to address the problem and come out with a permanent solution, they just need to ask WHY many behave in an unprofessional manner. it's to do with the management rules the drivers are not happy with.
ok, so they face restrictions from their management etc...well, boohuhu...we all have difficulties to deal with in our own ways. Does that excuse unprofessional and rude behaviour? Can we stop making excuses for these things all the time please?
Nobody has the liberty to behave in any way they see fit due to restrictions or difficulties. Period.
And besides, it is pretty stupid to do so, as it only makes things worse...but to understand that one needs a brain and use it...apparently something some people have not come to terms with .
In Dubai there are some three or four different companies operating as private taxis. Comparatively, getting a taxi is much easier there. Drivers behave the same way in Dubai and Doha as they face similar restrictions from their managements.
They have to make more than what they pay to the management at the end of the day, thus they try to avoid short distances and crowded places. All they want is to run more in less time.
if you think it is bad here try using taxis in Dubai they are a disgrace the taxis here are pleasure to deal with compared to the RTA taxis in Dubai
hi kiwikitten.
i agree with you but these karwa drivers have to give 270 riyals per day to the management and remaining they collects is for them . as far as i know they have to rush all the time to meet up their expenses .may be because of that they are driving rashly.obiveusly they have the responsibility of travelers life . now a days they have to work very hard to get this 270 , and they do have a family .they have to earn something for them also ......
hi kiwikitten.
i agree with you but these karwa drivers have to give 270 riyals per day to the management and remaining they collects is for them . as far as i know they have to rush all the time to meet up their expenses .may be because of that they are driving rashly.obiveusly they have the responsibility of travelers life . now a days they have to work very hard to get this 270 , and they do have a family .they have to earn something for them also ......
We all know how the taxi service is in Qatar, the less said the better. But, things would be embarrasing for the country when the world comes to know about it in 2022.
Hope, this is taken up in the next few years so that same meets the international standards during the world cup.
Well, Thank god I don't need Karwa taxis. Never the less, I encounter them on the roads, and yes, they certainly are THE worst, rudest and most dangerous drivers in Qatar. Well, besides some others.
Should they not be, as they are professionals, safe and polite drivers?
I CAN DRIVE AND I AM AN ADULT!!!!!!- but due to only being here 10 days in a month its not worth having a car here.
They have 10 yrs to improve on public transport here before 2022 - but I wld not hold my breath!!!!!
Tourist Destination - you go to London and Qatar is advertised on the side of Cabs - they want tourists to come here then they better do something about the public transport.....
I have a private drivers number I can call - but when u are at the mall and there is a Karwa there its just handy to be able to hop in one rather than wait for the driver to come.
But Karwas are fast losing their appeal.
FYI - they do not get paid a salary. They pay money upfront every day to Karwa and then its up to the driver to make more than what they have paid to earn any sort of a salary. The only other thing they get as part of their contract is free accommodation and flights but thats it.
But at the end of the day I know they have to make a living like us all - but we are the customers and we spread the word!!!!
PS, Gafoorikkia, Kiwi doesn't say she CAN'T drive, simply that as she doesn't live her full time she doesn't pay to rent or buy a car that won't get much use.
Sound pretty grown up to me.
I can see your point, WK, but the few times I've caught Karwas recently, the driver has initially refused to turn on the meter, at which point I've told him to stop so I can get out, and he reluctantly does. They then drive like lunatics.
I then make it a habit to pay them to the exact riyal, and point out that had the drivers just been polite and obedient and professional, I would have tipped him an extra 20 or so, as you do in other countries.
Not to be too nosey but Kiwikittens profile says she is a registered nurse and a Mum in Doha.
Yet you say she needs to learn how to DRIVE to be honoured with the title of an adult....interesting.
I think you need some education to enable YOU to grow up.
Did you type that message from your parents basement?
The management thinks like Gafoorikka above and assumes that if you need to use Karwa then you don't deserve to live in Qatar anyway and nobody cares about you.
The fault lies with the management, drivers are stuck. If they try to provide good customer service, they will end up with salary deductions.
Yes.. you need to learn driving and show that you are not a kid any more. You need to think positive since in future you may need to drive or not certain circumstances will make you drive, then at that time you regrets why dint you learn before.
I agree.
I had a Karwa refuse to take me the other day because it was the other side of the city and there is "Too much of traffic" he said with a SMILE.
Excuse me? It was a journey I had to make, and as a customer it is my choice. I wasn't going at a peak time on purpose.
THEN he suggested "City Centre?" as an ALTERNATIVE destination!!! So not only was he refusing to take me where I wanted to go, but also trying to 'helpfully' 'suggest' another place where he wished to drive.
I didn't even need to go to a Mall!
The driving like F1 drivers is really common. I know Taxi drivers are never usually the safest on the roads but some of these Karwas....I think they are bored, and race to make their day more interesting! :-)
..tourist destination? Can someone clarify.
Public Transportations is not good here
These Karwa taxi drivers piss me of the most. If I ever take a Karwa and they quote their price to the trip, I agree and hop in. After the ride is done, I pay them the amount I want to and walk out, not looking back.
I once had a Karwa driver, walk out and confront me, I took out my cell and told him I will call the management and report his taxi nbr... he scooted off ;-)
The best thing to do is find yourself a reliable private driver. They are much more punctual, reliable, and safe than these rubbish Karwa drivers.
There are heaps of drivers around, thankfully, so you needn't ever have to use Karwa again.
..boat..rather taxi's i should say..terrible innit...
But Ive heard that the complaints are taken seriously.
What was that about tourist destination..is that a fact?