Private Transportation Problem in Qatar

The average lowest cost of Karwa travel is QR15. Its not expensive. But how can you justify the cost when the cost of a litre of Petrol is QR 0.80?

Which means that Karwa earns QR14.20 every 10kms. (If you consider the car gives an average of at least 10kms per litre). Which is a big rip-off.

They can easily do with QR5-QR8 as the average lowest cost of Karwa with the cost including Insurance, regular servicing & periodic carwash.

Remember these new 2007 models cars are much more fuel efficent than the Old Orange ones.

And if Karwa increases cost it would make buying a new car (or second hand car) a much more cheaper and attractive alternative. Thus more cars on the road.

yv2r

I used to waste lot of time in waiting for Karwa Taxi to reach my Office on Salwa road especially peak times and also on my return trip also it was same situation.

One day a private Taxi person came and i got in to that,he used to speak a good english,I casually asked him since how long you are in to this business,I was shocked to hear that its almost 8 years he is doing this,before that he came as driver in a house,First 8 years his sponsor looked after him very well and advised him to do this as independent business.

He says his customers are regulars ,only some times he pick new people,his customers are Airline staff like piolots,cabin crew, ground staff and few regular office going people.

I asked his services,he said a particular time,he was so prompt and he used drop & pickme up,he did till I got my licence here.

He was so good and even many times i used to call him to go out for shopping,he used to drop and pick us back home.

He was so professionally plan and no one could get a feeling that he is a private taxi driver.

1- Leave him alone, live and let others live.

Well thats sounds peacfull, it depends also that you prefer to rely on private taxi or not.

2- Get into the car and let him drop you somewhere.

Thats your need ,this is what you want ,daily or any time ,karwa either late or you realized that waiting will be hard .

3- Take the plate number and report him.

It would be so bad if those are honest and want to help by offering you their services.

4- Give his phone number to your friends later to help him.

Thats the friendly Networking ,ha ...if u trust and realized that they have passed in their try , service and attitude wise then go a head.

5- I got finally a descent transportation.

Depends on the persone is always available or any other like him.

I would definitely Sit in the car as they helped me a lot once I was new to this place and had no car, it was simply heck to find a cab, I empathies how it feels when u wait for a cab for 1 hour on the street in damn killing summers…

About karwa, they are good for nothing…

I've used these "private taxis" quite a few times to get get to work.

It is usually these old cars which were at one time the yellow-orange cabs. After December 2006, when all their taxi licenses were revoked many sold their cars and left Qatar, the rest got their cars painted to some other color and operate as private taxis without a meter.

What costs me Qr 15 in a Karwa cab costs me Qr 8 -10 in a private cab..

Yea I've also seen people use their office/sponsor's cars as cabs to earn an extra buck.

But if it is some big car that stops for you then expect a homo to be behind the steering wheel.

heh I seriously don't know whats up with some of these qatari's or arabs .. They probably don't get enough action at home.

It was in the newspaper yesterday. Just read the title. Can'n give more details

May the roof above us never fall in, and may the friends below never fall out!

they take all the driving licenses away from the non-working women and the laborers then you will see a mess. There are hundreds of unused taxis sitting in a lot at the Karwa shop in the industrial area.

I wouldn't get into an unmarked/unlicensed vehicle under any circumstances.

It happens a lot in London. As you're coming out of nightclubs in the early hours you get approached by guys asking if you want a taxi, but their vehicles are unmarked and unlicensed, they haven't been subjected to any police checks or anything.

It's just not safe.

99 per cent of the time you might be okay, but I don't want to risk that 1 per cent.

Even licensed cabs aren't totally safe. Getting into a vehicle with a stranger can never be. But I reckon licensed taxis are 99.99 per cent safe compared to the others.

yes so they say ... :-) We took BMW limousin from Doha airport to the house, the charged us QR 50, when my husband asked for receipt he said we can give him QR 40.

Next trip from the airport to the house we took Karwa with filipino driver, he only charged us QR 15 by meter, and my husband give him QR 30. The driver very helpful and speak perfect english.

fingers crossed.

more taxi units hopefully.

and better customer service.

how much would be the increase anyway?

The increase in fares to ensure they continue to provide their excellent service.

KArwa will be come more costly very soon as they are planning to increase their fares.

bi-bida bida.

epal.

majh, you're right. bring a pepper spray with you, in case your friends are nowhere to help you.

you can also use a key to poke the eyes.

first thing i check out in a private car, is if it has an automated lock.

legalisation to private taxi, now!

Being a woman you must take the necessary precautions even with normal taxis

May the roof above us never fall in, and may the friends below never fall out!

king edshel,

if i don't have any choice then i have to ride a private transpo but as soon as i get in i send message to my friend (any volunteer to receive my message) the plate no. just in case...we can't blame them they need a little more to meet their ends.

sl has priority. If driver wishes I will pm it to you as well. You see the man has a normal job which requires him to be on the road most of the day. He is not a full time "illegal"

May the roof above us never fall in, and may the friends below never fall out!

Hi CYman

Can you please pm your driver's no to me.

thanks

sl, will do if he agrees. Will pm you whatever the answer.

King E. you are right. Why they left these people without a job? Why only one taxi company in Doha despite the fact that the taxis are not enough?

May the roof above us never fall in, and may the friends below never fall out!

I was just trying to put here all the possible points that people might think of :) I would never report any of these drivers which most of them are the old Taxi Drivers [the orange one] and lost their jobs because of the cancellation of that service. How can these people survive after they lost their jobs? They should've find a solution for them but it is always go like that. When they try to fix a problem, they create even more greater problems without putting in mind the bad effect on people. [demolishing the houses to build new ones is a very good example]

Thanks. if he agrees PM me the no. I have some more office runs for him also.

sl, would have to ask him first. Will see him this afternoon.

May the roof above us never fall in, and may the friends below never fall out!

I think point 3 on your list should be removed. I guess the only reason these "illegal" taxis are off the roads is the greediness of the monopoly Karwa who probably influenced the relevant decision.

People can simply not move if they don't have a car or a driver. You call a Karwa taxi and the waiting time is never less than an hour (if they show up)You call a limousine, they rob you (if it comes on time). So give me a good reason why keep point 3 as an option?

May the roof above us never fall in, and may the friends below never fall out!

Can you PM me his no.

Boycott Karwa monopoly and support the poor people.

I have been in Qatar for the last 12 days and thanks God, he has sent me Abdul a very nice guy, who 3 out of 4 times I need transportation he responds. All routes are 10 QR so, not only I save money but I help a fellow poor man to make some extra cash.

May the roof above us never fall in, and may the friends below never fall out!

1- I'm not afraid, was just asking what would you do if that happened [because i find it strange to use your company or sponsor car into your personal business].

2- I was joking here:[was expecting someone to shoot me, but he shocked me].

3- Yeah we are still living in a good place compared with other places.

I don't have problems in going with these people, wanted just to know how do you feel about it and thank you for the concern.

Best Regards

King - Why you are so much afraid...

We are NOT living in "That much terrible place", where people just take you in car and rob you / shoot you / rape you!!!!....

Still, Qatar is pleasant place to live.

Can readily get into a car and ask him to drop you, wherever you want to go, at much lesser price.

Unless, you prefer to wait for loooooooooooooooooooong hours for Karwa to turn up, if it does!!!!

Cheers, man...

I'll close this at my end and ignore whatever you say selly old dArUdAAAA

Don't Be Rude, RUDE Will NEVER Smell Heaven

HA HA HA HA HA HA. Insomnia got to spend at least 1 week in this forum to understand who we are :)

Mr New User just 8 hours

hmm :D still a baby here.

Go sit down. You Still need to learn alot about this forum.

And Dont Teach me English.

My Education where i had it from you in your 2 generation wont be able to afford it.so Mr Knuckle Head Dunce Piss Off PLEASE. :D

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That is supposed to be your motto!

and what is it with your bad english language!!!

"hmmm Buzz off poser out of my face :D"

whats hmmmm, buzzz, nuzzz cozzz wazzz... hahaha

If your english is not realy OK, then you realy don't have to reply buzzy muzzy fussy fuzzy cuzzy :D

This is a forum for all to participate. Try to write something that has value.

Don't Be Rude, RUDE Will NEVER Smell Heaven

Yes. me and Vasques.

r u comming to PALOMA tonight..?

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[---"Imagination is more important than knowledge"---]

PM read that.Confidential :D

[img_assist|nid=13339|title=.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=180|height=180]

It is my driver using my own car to earn some extra cash. got to SACK him today. Are you coming tonight?

hmmm Buzz off poser out of my face :D

[img_assist|nid=13339|title=.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=180|height=180]

Don't Be Rude, RUDE Will NEVER Smell Heaven

you should have given him a chance. and see what more he can do. atleast u aint a female he couldnot have raped :D

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I won't take the chances, Specially when you don't have the exact change and he does not have any..

I could see lots problems with that and the laws of murphy in action, Is 2 risky and is not convenient in the safety part of it.

Those of you that stated that Karwa taxi are too expensive, you are completely wrong in your statement.

Example:

From Ramada to my villa is 15 QR, limo is 30 QR.

From Rydges to my Villa is 25 QR, Limousine service is 35 to 40 QR.

From City center mall to my villa is 27QR limo service is 35 to 40QR.

From Intercontinental is 25, limo is 35.

From Sheraton is 35 limo is 45.

From Ambassador is 35, limo is 45 to 50.

I take the taxi when I'm on a drinking mood, so I won't have to drive...

So don't go around saying that Karwa is more expensive.. Take from an experience Taxi hopper.

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery

None but ourselves can free our minds..

I will take my chances in the living day light with the private taxi guys.Infact they are much more frequent and sometimes economical than the Karwa taxis.But there are a few who would try to

rip you off as well.So all in all, all of them are not so good.

It definitely would be a plus for the common commutor if they could legalise the private taxi guys but I must say that also should have some standards.If you are a person who rely on private taxis you will know some of them are not in any good condition to travel in at all.

Karwa is absolutely hopeless.

1)Even if you book them in advance they hardly make it or most times

never make it on time.

2)Most drivers are unfamilliar with the roads.

3)And they "NEVER" have adequate change to give you.

(A real piss-off)

4)Drivers are way too busy doing their side business.

5)No matter how many numbers they say they have increased there's

never a karawa taxi available when you need unlike 2-3yrs back

where it was freely available irresepective of the time of the

day.

Obvioulsy there are huge loopholes in the Karwa management.Quite

possibly it is run by a bunch of people who thinks working is to sit around a pot of tea/coffeee and have meanigless conversations and then brake off for lunch around 12ish and feel they are done for the day.

A long long time a go, on a distant planet called earth, there was a gas rich country which went by the name Qatar.

Long before the cold green four wheeled monsters ruled the kerbs, there were these poor orange people who drove their hearts out. People benefitted from their presence and they were the angels on earth.

Then came the Asian Games and then came the people who thought that Orange was bad. green was good.

And Karwa swept the land, killing away the orange on its wake...

Common man are the losers. All Hail karwa!

We had it before exactly as you described but it was cancelled after KARWA was established.

The whole management of KARWA should be sacked , "lock stock & barrel" & dumped in the sea. Their only motto seems to "make money make money regardless of anything". And that is also the Driver's motto "make money", "wont go near heavy traffic.", etc.

I think it would be great if they could legalise these Private Taxi guys.

With Zero investment the govt would have some kind of income by way of licence fee & the people would have benifited. These private taxies could have a different colour so as to identify them.

It could also compete with Karwa. Competition always provides better service & lower price for customers.

Karwa charges are very high when you consider the cost of petrol is almost Zero.

2- Get into the car and let him drop you somewhere.

4- Give his phone number to your friends later to help him.

I have done that in the past, i will do so in the future, if the need arises. I have done it umpteen number of times when i still did not have a car. I have found them to be friendly.

And yeah, not every second such car you meet is driven by a rapist and murderer. I can understand that reason behind the hysteria, but i still feel that not everybody can be generalised like that!

my 2 dirhams for your thoughts!

help the poor guys out..........just don't sue them if you get into an accident!!!! i always stop and give lifts to people when i see them waiting on the roadside for the non-existant taxis/bus.

help your fellow man.

If I really don't have a choice and the temperature outisde is 45C, I think I would accept his offer. I tried this "limousine services" as what they call themselves before when I still do not have a car. They are just making a decent way to earn more in Doha.

Me & Vasques have this special sevice for free rides in our fleet of 4 x 4's (24x7x365 basis). The only qualification is that you must be a good looking female between 20 -35 of age. If you qualify pl. feel free to call our hot line no. 4000400.

I will use teh offer for my need! for fem. it's bit difficult to hop in!

-

Life's on MOVE...

as a new comer to doha, i still haven';t got my license.

it's a hell wen i want to go out somewer and my cousins are in office. i have to wait more than half an hour on the road.. the taxis are very less in numbers. you see so many taxis on the road. but one day try taking a taxi to go somewer and you'll find out how long it takes for taxu to pick u up. i called the karwa number given on taxis and u know wat they said..?sir we don't have taxi we'll send limousin.!!

i know people who takes these private taxis number and then later call them wen in need

there had been a few times wen i had travelled in private taxis. they charge us fair prices. i benefit, he benefits. we both are happy.

another alternative is to offer someone a lift if possible. but i don't think that's possible in doha. but wen u get a chance.. do help others with a lift..

http://braveatheart.blogspot.com/

Yeah , I know these days it is not safe also just to accept the offer and ask them to drop.....

everyday we hear of so many reape, murder in Doha