Mowsalat Cabbies Stealing
By ESL Teacher •
hello All,
Anyone notice that when you are with most of the new cabbies they actually have their meters OFF. This never happened to me pre-Asian Games, and it's very unfortunate that drivers are stealing from both their employer and customer. I just give up the money as I don't want to deal with such a shady character...yes I am a huge chicken.
I have encountered instances where they set a rate before we even arrive to the location and then turn off their meters.
I wonder if Mowsalat has any idea that this is happening.
I heard there was something like a sensor under the seats which can detect when a passenger gets in and hence keep a log of miles travelled with passanger.
Is that true?
Regarding the rental scheme, i thought it was unfair on the drivers but reading here about the drivers not turning meters on, guess the management dosen't have a choice.
Another out of the box idea would be for the company to offer customers some sort of reward scheme so that it is in their interest to demand a receipt. Perhaps something similar to the airmiles scheme that airlines have.
cheers
this is a brilliant idea... because now, drivers will be forced to pick up as many fares in the day as possible....
They can no longer afford to just drive past people standing on the side of the road, as they have a quota to make up.... In the past, they got salaries whether they stopped or not.... and more often than not... they just kept on driving, even when the cab was empty....
On the other side of the coin though, it might promote aggressive driving, as drivers will put lives at risk to make as many drops during the day as possible....
As long as Karwa keep a check on this, the pick up service might finally be worth it for us carless individuals....
And I do agree on the hygiene and route issues.... Karwa do need to make sure that drivers are clean and neat, as well as that they know their way around Qatar....
X
Cabbies that don't use the meter. I do not condone any stealing from the company.
On the other hand. I think what they are trying to do with taxi rentals is not a fair practice.(see article)
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=130498&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
not me that was saying complaining was a waste of time. I called them when my wife lost her wallet in the taxi. Had all the info car no. and name of driver and they did their darnest to find it(no luck)
I found the Nepalese drivers are pretty good too, depending how long they have been in Doha.
Good news QL members. I got the permission to publish my friend's e-mail address. Actually he is a member of this QL forum. only thing he does not read regulary. smile :) you now have direct contact to Karwa officals So sent whatever you have concerning Karwa to
[email protected]
Hey friend,
Can your friend introduce some kinda air freshners on the regular routes as well as the private too.There are long haul routes also used by Karwa and I hope nobody sneaks into the toilets of the buses.
The head rest covers they were orginally white in colour,now it stinks sweat and full of dandruff and turned pale brown.
Drivers are professional ( on steering) ones recruited,but not trained in service,cleanliness,behaviour and respect.Am not pointing at all of them but 2/10 makes a difference to the fleet.
Send this here !!!
[email protected]
[email protected]
Mowasalat sets up special inspection team
web posted at: 04/10/2006 12:30PM
Web posted at: 9/14/2006
Source ::: THE PENINSULA
DOHA • The Public Transport Company (Mowasalat) is shifting into overdrive as it plans to upgrade its cab and bus services through new innovations and additional passenger-friendly facilities.
A special inspection team has been set up which should be completely up and running by early next year at the latest. The team will be made up of inspectors who will hop on buses and cabs randomly and keep an eye on drivers looking for driving mistakes, failure to stop, issuance of tickets and behavior with passengers in buses among other factors.
In buses, they are also expected to keep a watch on passengers for unruly behavior, misbehaving with the driver or refusing to pay the fare.
Next year, new buses being added to the Mowasalat fleet will have special cabins set aside for families for privacy in order to allow them to enjoy a ride without facing hassles from fellow passengers.
Mowasalat marketing manager Ahmed Al Ansari, speaking at a press conference on the occasion of 100 more cabs being introduced into the streets of Doha, said that by the end of this year, 1,000 more taxis will be on the roads.
The new cabs are Ford Mondeos, adding variety to the cab fleet which is now mostly made up of Toyota Camrys and Skoda Octavias. As new cabs are introduced, each lot will be given new colors, albeit variations of turquoise, the company's signature shade.
Cab drivers are to be closely monitored with the introduction of tamper-proof meters, Ahmed stated. Many people are unaware that Mowasalat cabs are supposed to give the fare a receipt on conclusion of a journey. Realising that some passengers may be unaware of this bit of information, a driver may be tempted to dip into the day's takings.
Perhaps to prevent any dishonesty at the expense of the company, incentives are to be offered to cab drivers earning the company above QR3,000 per month. Those that rake in the additional income will be given 15 per cent of any amount over QR3,000, the official said.
All drivers are sure to earn an extra bit of income as on average a cab makes QR6,000 to QR7,000 per month, while some drivers can pull in as much as QR11,000 per month on behalf of the company. While stating that Mowasalat's bus service was not canceling out taxis' earnings, Ahmed said the former was earning QR300,000 per week over all the routes. Cabs, said Ahmed, were making 80,000 trips a week.
The much-hyped smart cards, now only available at the company's Industrial Area headquarters, can soon be found at the central Al Ghanim Bus Station. The central terminus is expected to be completed in two months.
The company's website, which is pretty much dormant now, is to be upgraded by next week. The site will detail bus numbers, their routes and timings and will also have an e-map facility.
Ahmed said that he was hopeful that in the next phase of upgrading the site, people will soon after be able to book taxis online.
"We have also brought in cabs to serve the physically-challenged though we are not sure when we will bring them on the road. The reason for them not being on the roads is that till now, there has been no demand," he said.
Thanks, sl!
I will do it until they sort out the special no.
I inform my friend about your suggestion and he has high cmpliments you for your very good idea. He is going to raise this matter during their management meeting today and try to get their approval to set up the special no.
Why dont't they they get a phone number for this purpose and put a sticker with the customer service number inside every car? Like it is done in other countries.
When the driver will KNOW, that the customer can call this number right away, when still in the car, he won't misbehave.
Why do you have to do it?
Complained to him about 3 things.
1. Meter not swiched on.
2. Driver hygiene.
3. Driver not knowing prominant locations.
The complain goes under the general allegation catogory unless u provide Taxi no., Date and Time of the incident. If you prodive these, It will go under the charge sheet and driver will be punished under the company's disciplinary code.
So next time write down all the details and send to me.
I volunteer to do the rest as a community service.
SL, suggest to your friend to arrange a special phone number, where customers can call and complain, so that these complains will be collected into reports and he will read them on a daily basis. Put a sticker with this number in all cars.
Like when you are in the car and the driver doesn't want to turn on the meter, you simply call the number and report it on the spot.
I will call him right now. he really wants to improve the image of Karwa. I am sure he will do something.
Can you tell your friend at KARWA, that hygiene of many of their drivers from subcontinent deserves better attention. The smell of sweat is almost unbearable. I had to take a ride to the industrial area from Jarir, and I was almost vomitting.
I experienced also riding in a KARWA turning a meter off and asking the rate as the driver stimated!
Of course i did'nt pay that much, just for tha sake of his effort in driving.
I asked him Y not turning ON the meter and follow the rules.
It's happening here there's no reason Y KARWA is lossing.
Some actions for these?
Operation Manager of Karawa is a friend of mine. He is in charge of discipline of employees as well. He is hell bount on making a Karawa a world class fleet. He took over few months ago and implimented radio message system the taxis as well. Give me the taxi no. and I will let him know.
Randr88 - complain to the company... you are having a big laugh.
Absolute waste of time. You will have saved up to buy your own car before you get a response - I did!!!
Some of the taxis are great - I found the Philipino drivers most courteous... always lovely service..
However there are some that are dreadful.
The management are partially to blame. Some drivers are set onto the roads of Doha the day after arrive and haven't a clue and had had no training and have no map.
if ur cabbie driver doesnt on the fare meter until ur destination then ur journey is free of charge
I have never had that trouble, nor has my wife. Call and complain to the company. It's posted that your ride is free if they don't use the meter.
If you get into a cab and do not pay attention to the meter then you deserve to have your money stolen. And you still give them the money??? I'm not sure they are really stealing anything from you actually. Is it stealing if you just freely hand them money?? You don't have to deal with any shady characters, just open the door and walk away. They won't chase you down, trust me, I've done it.