Continuing Bad practices by Taxi Drivers
This is to inform everyone that I was cheated by one of your Taxi Drivers today (# 4401). The driver was from an African origin country
When I boarded the taxi from Dawr Al Qutub to Lulu Signal at 7.45am, I noticed that a black tape on the meter, covering the part where it shows if it was running on day time or night time. I asked him very specifically if it was 1 (indicating it was on Day-time) and he replied “Yes”
Not to my surprise, within minutes I could sense that he lied. The meter zoomed away from the moment go and I knew it was on “0” (i.e. at Night rate) and not on 1.
I challenged him to uncover that meter but he refused to do so. When I reached my destination, the fare came up to QR.12.50. I told him I would pay only the fare that I always did for the past 1 year (which was QR.10/-). He then began arguing me with me. I challenged him once again to open that black tape and prove it to me and that it was running on day rate (i.e. 1), then I would pay the full amount. He did not. When I said would call the Police and inform your company, he asked me to get out and then sped away even before I got my two feet on the ground, almost like a criminal speeding away from a crime scene. My company has cameras fitted outside our building and I can prove it if is necessary. This made me even angry .
It is not about the extra charges that I may have ended up paying, but it’s the constant bad practices that the drivers are now using, that pisses me off. What's more upsetting is that when I tried calling the Al Ijarah Taxi office, they asked me to call a Call Center instead and take it up from there and when i asked their email address, he replied, "it is finished". Not understanding what he meant by that, I tried to send an email address that I got from a google search, and shortly it bounced back with a "failure notice". How convenient is that? Now there is now way to post a complaint against the driver over the phone, or via email. Hence I have no other choice but to post it here. Hope the authorities will take a note of this.
If you wish to track him easier, then look for a ‘Shaun the Sheep toy in a plastic egg shell’ on the dash board.
Regards
A concerned resident
My friend, the problem is that Private taxis charge 20 riyals and Limousines charge 25 or 30 riyals for the same distance. If I were to rent a car, the cost will be nothing less than 60 or 70 riyals per day and I have to go around looking for a parking space, which nowadays is hard to find in Doha (unless you live in a villa with a parking space). In other words, no question of using any of those you mentioned in your post, as we don’t have trees at home that makes money. What was once not an issue at all (before Karwa came into existence); it all of a sudden became hard to find taxis and now, honest taxi drivers.
Why is this not an issue with the newer car companies that have introduced Taxis like The Carz? Thats because they have sensors fitted to their seats. I cannot understand why such big companies like Karwa, Al Ijrah and Al Million are delaying in installing the sensors to their taxis. I willingly give the drivers of CARZ more tips because they don’t argue, are new and hardly know the routes. I feel pity for them. The root of the problem with car companies like Karwa, Al Million and Al Ijrah is that the drivers are perhaps not paid well and hence they are seeking ways to cheat the public to make up for the targets set by their company or for their own pockets. One driver (from Karwa who had a sensor in it) had the audacity to ask me to sit on the hand rest in the back seat, as the sensor would not detect the passenger. I did it, just to take a picture as evidence (which I have). I will post that picture here if any of their drivers asks me with such a ridiculous request once again.
Whats new, most taxi drivers here always cheat. Better to rent a vehicle or get a Uber taxi or trusted limousine services. No need to fight about thing that doesn't change...even after numerous complaints and even being publicized on news papers across Qatar.
I Have posted a picture of the meter and the Shaun the Sheep Toy in a separate post