Illegal taxis becoming popular in Qatar
The number of illegal taxis operating in the country has increased amid attempts by regular Qatar-based taxi franchises to add more cab units and meet the growing need for additional public transportation.
Many of the operators of these illegal taxis seem to have relocated to Qatar from other GCC countries.
A significant number of expatriates, in fact, prefer the services of unauthorised private vehicles to those of regular taxis.
An Asian driver, who expressed his views to this paper, lamented over the failure of his car rental business in Dubai, which prompted him to seek employment in Qatar.
He found job opportunities in Doha “better” and described Qatar’s economy as having a “bright future” due to the state’s infrastructure upgrade and construction boom.
This, according to him, has set a trend among young Arab and Asians to work as operators or drivers of unauthorised taxis. It is generally considered “risky” by the operators and drivers who readily admit that their “business” is illegal.
Another driver revealed that the risks involved in operating an illegal taxi had taught him to be selective when choosing potential customers.
He said drivers of illegal taxis usually preferred to carry families, women, or lone passengers rather than picking up customers in key thoroughfares or shopping malls.
“Another strategy is to cautiously wait at the arrival area of the Doha International Airport,” yet another driver said.
An Arab expatriate, who is a frequent taxi user because of his failure to obtain a driver’s licence, explained that passengers preferred illegal taxis to legal ones because of several factors: “The fare rates of private vehicles are negotiable because they don’t have taxi meters. Also, you can request to be picked up at a preferred time and location.”
He said: “A customer can get the number of the driver and schedule trips, most especially if the passenger is satisfied with the services of the private vehicle.”
A taxi driver from one of the authorised franchises, who asked not to be named, said some drivers tampered with the car’s meter by programming it to charge at a faster rate.
Read more at: Gulf TImes
Qatar is highly inconvenient compared to any GCC country. All expense, no comfort.
Qatar is highly inconvenient compared to any GCC country. All expense, no comfort.
once i used a Karwa taxi from the arrivals to my home. he asked for an additional Qar10 if not he will not go. The behavior of most of the K taxi drives is very bad. A taxi should take you to where you want to go n not where he wants to go. isnt this unfair. Thats why most people use Illegal taxi.
Most of the Karwa Drivers will not give you a ride if your insisting to use thier meter, and most of the meters of the Karwa Taxi's are being tampered, that is why most of the commuters prefer to ride a "CARLIFT" or illegal taxi's.
KARWA TAXIESSSSS !!! WHERE ARE THEY ???
Monopoly my friends
I have my private car thanks GOD! But honestly I prefer the illegal taxi rather than to be barbequed in the sun for hours in 40-50 degrees celcius waiting for Karwa taxis.
transportation in Qatar is sucks you can't find taxis any time every where
Mr. S and qduck you are gread. But sometime illegal taxi guys are doing bad. Thats also we must consider. Thanks to all..
الدال على الخير كفاعله
Karwa got midsize sedans and they are expensive. Not suited for ordinary residents. The should come up with budget taxis, like the airline industry.
karwa tasxi people are really rude disrespectful and charge alot of money so why not take a private taxi. If karwa was cheaper and it should be because its government owned why would anyone take a private taxi
most of the time they dont even stop for you
9 out of 10 times i have been declined a karwa taxi from wukair to the airport in the mornings. So illegal taxis why not?
Karwa is the best
its a common that you will see all those private taxis roaming around or waiting for passengers at the exit area of every supermarket.....try to pretend that you are looking for a taxi and they will offer you...
@brit: lolz :D
what if private rail will also start :p :D
I'm thinking of converting my Pink KIA into a private taxi. I will only offer rides to single women though.
wait until the rail will be running
indeed, current system can't be blame
it is so useful to others as well (small wage commuters) in addition to lack of taxi in the state
i would prefer illegal taxis than the karwa one