Where are the new franchised taxis of Doha?
I remember reading this news report a few months ago which said: "The first private franchise of Karwa to operate taxis across Qatar would start their formal operations, latest by June 1 2012."
Disclosing this a few months ago, Mowasalat chairman Jassim Saif al-Sulaiti said officials of the franchisee, Al Million Services Trading & Contracting Company (MSTC) have said they would be able to commence their taxi operations latest by that date (June 1).
The chairman said as per the understanding between Karwa and MSTC, the latter should be able to put a minimum of 100 taxis on roads at their launch. “In the first three months of their operations, the franchise should launch a minimum of 300 taxis and they should be able to fulfil their promise of launching 500 taxis on the roads in a period of 12 months starting from the launch date,” said al-Sulaiti.
See, today is already 1st of June 2012. We have not heard any follow-up news from either Mowasalat or MSIC in respect of their disclosed press statements. I wonder whether the launching of the initial 100 franchised taxis have been further delayed or aborted?? Can someone give the commuting public a reasonable reply??
Do you remember the original statement made late last year:
"According to a schedule released at Thursday’s meeting, Al Million Services will be the first private firm to start operations any time between January and April next year with a minimum of 100 cars."
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=476519&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
So they have had until January to start, and they were obliged to have taxis operational by April...
If the first private franchised taxi company,
Al Million Services Trading & Contracting Company(MSTC), is unable to launch the anticipated taxi service as per agreement and schedule, what other hopes can you expect from the other two private taxi franchisees, namely Alijarah National Leasing and Petro Qatar? Let's all hope this "waiting and blaming game" will soon be over. As matter of responsibility, Mowasalat should call a press conference to clear the doubt for the benefits of taxi commuters ....
It's very disappointing as usual, decisions are made and no explanation given so people fill in the blanks normally by starting rumours. I better get back to reading the Gulf Times and all the happy stories...
What's happening? Why no official announcement if the franchised taxi service is launched! The silence from both the taxi franchiser and the concerned taxi franchisee, Al Million, is rather unusual. At least, their respective spokesman or director should come forward and make an announcement for the delay or state the excuse for late launching of taxi service. By keeping silence it reflects the lackadaisical attitude of both parties towards the purpose of taxi franchising and the objective of improving the taxi service in Qatar! Perhaps the Qatari government should pay attention to this unhealthy developments ....
Al million taxi... is just a name...they are about 300 in numbers of which one third will be off duty or in service or repairs...
I agree Mandi, they are not safe especially for women but a big help to the rest of the population that relies on transport that are readily available when needed.
Illegal taxis, nomad. Not safe.
Mandi
I think they're hanging out at the new airport that was finished in 2008. Oh, wait ...!
Mandi
Who needs another taxi franchise when we have plenty of private taxis all over town?
They were due by April 1 at the latest. Then delayed to June. Now delayed until July.
The date they mentioned is as per the Islamic calendar so still 500 years to wait.
Well June 1st is not over yet..