Do Taxi drivers decide the place we are dropped??
So I was furious the other day when my taxi guy decided that he wouldn't go any further in traffic and that I should get off and walk!
It's no biggy for me to have created a scene or to have lodged a complaint against him immediately. But day by day, I find more drivers taking their jobs 'not-so-serious'.
As a regular taxi traveller, I find the following reasons annoying:
1. "No Meter Mudhir": Many drivers I come across don't want their meters working. Instead, they would suggest a higher rate - get in if you like or I'm leaving!
2. Yucky rides: Wrappers thrown about, carpets not dusted, cigarette smelling seats, the drivers' ties thrown about, not dressed well!
3. Hello love? - 90% of the drivers I rode with were on the phone (via hands-free connected to phone) either with their loved ones back home or secret hook-ups (believe me, I've overheard convos). They don't seem to concentrate on the customer. I literally need to scream for directions!
4. Buy one-get one free: I've come across drivers willing to drop me when there's a customer already in the car (waiting to go elsewhere and not my route). It could get uncomfortable when its a lady.
Being empathetic towards drivers has its limits. after all, I'd be pissing off my customers if I behave similarly at my workplace. It's your job and you better do it damn well!
And I also don't find it practical to keep calling the taxi companies for complaints.
I don't know if there's any raids or checks taking place by related authorities to maintain standards? Please advise if there's any or I'd very much appreciate if there is a protocol as such. Just a humble suggestion.
Thanks folks!
@Muhurey that is just all an average customer would know before he would want to think that he should take a Karwa for a ride. But all what he experiences is difficulties before traveling, dissatisfaction while travelling and worried after travelling..
Before Traveling a customer should walk wherever he is exactly and he should wait for few minutes until he sees a Karwa and wave his hand and when the taxi stops the bargain starts. You don't normally find karwa and drivers who really drives with the actual meter, instead they would only give us their own estimate cost for our destination. whether we like it or not we will have to take it because it is a hassle waiting for an other taxi to arrive there.
So that's just done and now begins the journey part. Like my friend @Riffath_h mentioned, it is true that you get to find most of the drivers on the phone, wired to a hands-free. Okay fine, if you decided to give them their space and have your focus on the destination that you wanna reach. Mean while you only find it really disgusting and uncomfortable to be around, because of the way they communicate (Choice of their words, the conversation patterns and their bloody accents and language. Not that you wanna overhear another man's conversation, but to be seated next to the man. You can't really shut your off ears because you may wanna direct the taxi driver to your destination or communicate with him.. With that they wouldn't even give proper responds or acknowledge you in a proper manner. 'Okay Mudhir, maafi muskil'
With all that patience, you arrive in your destination. the meter was NOT on, You had to take some roads-in to get to your Villa or shortcuts to get there, or even had to stop by a Bakala to buy something. You will be asked to pay only more. 'Mudir you did all that, i want more money'.
How many customers do you think would wanna wait another few more minutes to have an argument there, who would like to waste their time on calling the cops on them or even want to make a complain on their number plate..
I've experienced all these on my own in my rides with Karwa and there comes the good drivers, they are very rare and you will only find them interesting, you will even get into good conversations over various topics Like @Riffath_h mentioned, they are way less than 10%.
The company should take the responsibility in ensuring that it's customers are receiving the better services and the services that the company promises to provide them. Train them well, teach them well, teach them about the Qatar culture.
I've spoken to many drivers who arrived in the city before a day and being appointed to work the next morning. Since there they start work trying to pay the dept that they have with the company daily basis or monthly. And then later they learn all about the dirty tricks to earn the money..
Now who should i blame? The Karwa Drivers or The Company?
Will it do any good to me even if i call the 999 on them or lodge a complain over a number plate and ID?
Karwa has introduced a new taxi meter system. The MDT OR X-One taxi meter. This meter is a tamper proof, which means it doesn't allow the to cheat the customer or the company. They used to cheat or rob the customer and the company when they were using the Halemeter. So many taxi drivers were relieved of their duty because they were caught trying to tamper with the meter. This time some of them might try to cheat the customer. This can not be controlled by the company unless the customer complains directly. All you have to do is take the plate number, time and ID of the company, Mowasalat, Al Million or etc. then Karwa will do the rest.
If you have noticed, there's a notice in every passenger window in a sticker including all the tariffs. It says" if the meter is not operational, your trip is for free." It means don't pay the driver if he doesn't use the taxi meter. Don't encourage them by paying. They are robbing you and the company.
2, In regarding their uniforms, specially Karwa or Mowasalat taxi drivers, the company gives the 6 white shirts 3 trousers and two black shoes and they are well trained in Customer Care, Drivers Health and Safety and Safe Driving. They know how to handle themselves. But this reaction is defiance or the driver's stupidity.
3, If you see your taxi driver using mobile phone in any form while driving, please don't hesitate to tell him to stop using it. It's against Karwa driving safety and Qatar Driving rules. If he persists you can call a police 999 or you are allowing him to hang your life on the line.
4, It's not allowed or its illegal to have different customers in the same time or to additional customer in the same time. They're trying to make money illegally. If you notice incidents like this please complain to the company.
You can email to Karwa to the following address [email protected] or call +97444588588.
Karwa has introduced a new taxi meter system. The MDT OR X-One taxi meter. This meter is a tamper proof, which means it doesn't allow the to cheat the customer or the company. They used to cheat or rob the customer and the company when they were using the Halemeter. So many taxi drivers were relieved of their duty because they were caught trying to tamper with the meter. This time some of them might try to cheat the customer. This can not be controlled by the company unless the customer complains directly. All you have to do is take the plate number, time and ID of the company, Mowasalat, Al Million or etc. then Karwa will do the rest.
If you have noticed, there's a notice in every passenger window in a sticker including all the tariffs. It says" if the meter is not operational, your trip is for free." It means don't pay the driver if he doesn't use the taxi meter. Don't encourage them by paying. They are robbing you and the company.
2, In regarding their uniforms, specially Karwa or Mowasalat taxi drivers, the company gives the 6 white shirts 3 trousers and two black shoes and they are well trained in Customer Care, Drivers Health and Safety and Safe Driving. They know how to handle themselves. But this reaction is defiance or the driver's stupidity.
3, If you see your taxi driver using mobile phone in any form while driving, please don't hesitate to tell him to stop using it. It's against Karwa driving safety and Qatar Driving rules. If he persists you can call a police 999 or you are allowing him to hang your life on the line.
4, It's not allowed or its illegal to have different customers in the same time or to additional customer in the same time. They're trying to make money illegally. If you notice incidents like this please complain to the company.
You can email to Karwa to the following address [email protected] or call +97444588588.
baldrick: I'm sure the powers that be have a cunning plan to ban Uber
@doha estate I believe flying to the moon is much more easier than to get a driving license.
@doha estate I believe flying to the moon is much more easier than to get a driving license.
Use my Uber code - QMXH8 - we both get a free ride :)
Brings back memories of our own Count on QL - Dracula .. Good times :0)
I am thinking about the Count from Sesame Street...one slap...ha ha ha ha...two slap...ha ha ha ha.... oh happy days!
@ Gasoline: Well I need to prepare myself for the worse then! God be with me :)
@zackm: Good idea mate! :D
@qatari2015: It's been the same since I got here. They don't seem to fix it.
site is experiencing lag i guess , even mine too got posted twice :o
They should implement a law, if the taxi driver does not turn on the meter, you have the right to slap him 10 time. If he says he forgot, than its 20 times. Also fine the operator with 100 slashes for each violation. There no money involved, justice done! All in the presence of an officer. Oh how I wish!
@BitExpat I know the roads of UAE quite well as I drove most them in rental car etc.. His route was from Abu Hail Metro Station 1 to Dubai Airport Terminal 2. No toll to pay because no toll roads on anyone the two routes. He just thought we were stupid Tourists and saw a opportunity to make some extra money. Well Karma will probably make up for that perhaps. lol
@Riffatch When you do get your car be prepared for speeding fines that you did not know about. It seems mobile cameras have been hidden in places you least expect. Even if your 1 kph over 80 you will get nabbed by mobile secret camera ready to make your wallet a lot lighter. I know very well about these things. So always keep your eye on the speed and flashes of light in front of you.
@doha estate: I wish I could. The license itself takes months (provided you pass the first time). Not everyone's rich here you know...
Get your own car
Gasoline: Pushing the button may have had to do with adding extra charges like "Salik" - the road toll .. This is quite common
Very rarely you find limos as such @yacine.h and imagine trafiic hours!? Gosh!
Sad story @Gasoline... Jackasses everywhere I see.
I refuse to take Taxi's in Qatar it's unless absolute necessary. If by chance I can not get a replacement car if mine is being repaired. Yes as BritExpat said no customer service in Taxi's in Qatar. But I found it can happen in Dubai too twice!
We were overcharged and made late for our flight this year in Dubai so we missed our flight and were very upset. And on separate trip we lost confidence with Taxi's in Dubai took the Metro and were only 2KM from the Airport terminal. But we were forced to take a Taxi from the Metro to the Airport and out fair was 7 AED but once the Taxi stopped he pushed a button on the meter and it went up to 15 AED in instant. I was really upset and could of complained but we needed to check in for our flight.
So a lot of Qatar and Duabi Taxi drivers should be fired and never ever drive for money, because the customer is always treated as a number not a human. They just don't have respect for anyone but them self's.
I would suggest you use Uber if you are not a regular taxi user, but if you are then that would be very expensive. I have seen two or 3 cheap limousine services that charge the same price as Karwa but they are only visible in front of City Centre and Lulu. I don't know though if you can get them like you do for a Karwa taxi.
I see... Well they need to further up their game @yacine.h
This has been going on for ages and people complain regularly but not much changed. Not that Karwa did not try! They actually introduced the GPS thing in some cars, improved the drivers' financial situation, opened the sector to competition, and cracked down on some crooks. But as you can see it did not work.
Yikes! Sorry about the double-comment ;) I wish my money doubles the same way :P
@yacine.h : Good ideas. I've tried some of them myself (I'm a dude btw :D ). Yet, don't you think we could save all these drama when we have a proper protocol; say like Dubai?
@yacine.h : Good ideas. I've tried some of them myself (I'm a dude btw :D ). Yet, don't you think we could save all these drama when we have a proper protocol; say like Dubai?
If you are a lady there is not much you can do. If you are a man there is. I take the taxi and I impose the meter. If he locks the doors and does not let me in I tell them I will pay them whatever they want. Once in the car I tell them it is either the meter or no money or the police station. I do not do it always, but when I feel like it I become harsh with them and if they do not like it, let's go to the police station and see who is right and who is wrong.
Some apologize, some get angry and keep quiet for the whole distance, others try to convince that they are poorly paid and need money, and once a tall African guy started to drive like a crazy to scare me off.
But yep, there is absolutely nothing you can do if you are a lady.
@Molten Metal: That's unfair on a customer's perspective. I agree that a level of tolerance needs to maintained. But this is just off charts!
dohaplanner: The owners are focused on getting the maximum return from their drivers. The drivers are trying to get as much out of the customer as they can. Customer service does not exist.
I wish I could @dingding. They are either expensive for an average salary drawer or unavailable.
The young men will often behave this way ........ we can't teach them ........... let them grow up ..........
I wish @dingding ;)
why these worries take clean and new limo.
These and that are the challenges the masses are facing yet it had never been addressed, they rather restrict people from getting QDL so some set of idle men could groove in their Landcruisers/Lexus.
@nixon123
Will try it. Thanks.
@britexpat
Agreed.
Very well said... Like you, I don't like to complain, but there are limits.
The authorities need to get tougher. Copy the UAE model. All taxis fitted with GPS and driver MUST use meter.
There needs to be a central hotline for complaints.
use uber