Concerns are being raised over illegal taxis. But will it ever go away?
If you have been to any malls or the airport in Qatar, you are likely to have seen them many times. They hang out by the exit doors, analyse whether you have a car or not, slowly walk besides you and asks softly whether you need a taxi.
These are the ‘illegal’ taxi drivers. Some of the older drivers are people who, once upon a time, used to drive Qatar’s ‘Orange Taxis.’ The younger crop invariably came to Qatar, obtained a license, hired a limousine and went out in search of customers.
Whatever they might be, they are a recent phenomenon. Just 10 years back, when Qatar still operated the affordable ‘Orange Taxis,’ this problem was almost non-existent.
Although Qatar operates three public taxi services, they are quite expensive. This has helped the illegal business thrive. Once you make contact with a driver, they will be at your doorstep with a single phone call.
But then, there is always the question of safety. There have been certain incidents where private taxi drivers verbally harassed passengers. But such reports have been far and wide in between.
Qatari authorities have always taken a strict stand against illegal taxis, describing it as a major problem as the user does not know anything about the vehicle’s owner, which could lead to crimes being committed. But they continue to thrive unhindered.
So what is a solution to this? There is a dire need to have more Karwa taxis on the street. A more aggressive fare pricing by the company could also help curb illegal taxis.
A more pro-active customer care centre, as well as swift resolution of complaints, could also help fight the phenomenon of illegal taxis.
But the question is, is that what the common man want? Tell us QLers, do you prefer to use Karwa taxis or illegal ones? What are your reasons for doing so?
I will side with the illegal taxis, I have many friends doing this business, always polite and on time and never overcharge me, in fact many times they just say give me what you think is a fair price.
My experience with Karwa is that they don't use the meter, charge double what the actual cost should be, most of them don't know their way around Qatar you have to tell them where you want to go and then they pocket the money making it a very good business for themselves.
Private / illegal taxis will win the day until somebody decides to run Karwa in a professional and efficient manor.
Most time Karwa Taxi people won't on the meter and asking high price. or if we get in also they won't start the meter from beginning itself.
I 'm tired of Karwa Taxi.
i prefer Karwa Taxi when they began using new meter,
I like yellow taxi run 10 years back.
If government can bring the system back.
It has many advantage.
1- there are many taxi on the road ,which is under limousine company. But it has same problem like illegal taxi..that to identify legal or illegal one. And doesn't have meter system.
2-If govt could implement to register illegal taxi or such limousine under legal taxi. It will course to increase taxi on road. And people will get more services.
Such case the taxi fare will be cheaper for passenger's by yello taxi (old). Which will be preferred by most of the passengers.
Do they ever get anything right in Qatar? Not even the public taxi service is controlled properly. And Qatar is a small country. What if one day there are 3 or 5 million people? The chaos is programmed already.
Stick to Uber / Careem
Solution..
Let all Taxi's to register under private Taxi Company with monthly or annual fee.
Car shall be stamped the Taxi Company Name.
How to Book the Taxi
Option 1
Call the taxi call center
Call center will send you the taxi
Call center know taxi No.... is going from where to where
Option 2
Call direct to driver (registered with private taxi company)
Note :- KARWA drivers are the worst on the road to be honest...
The name refers as "illegal " and what do you expect from illegal. Are you guaranteed in case of accident? Are you guaranteed you can have your valuable item returned to you once you forget it in the illegal taxi. Do they have the proper training in handling a customer and safe driving. Whom can you contact in case of a problem with the driver. How can you be sure that these people mean business but not robbers? There are so many things to be unsure of these people. There are five franchise taxi and all the drivers have proper training, They work for a well recognized and government approved and licensed company. They have proper identification( Employment no.), proper uniform, standard vehicles and standard taxi meter. In case of trouble they have 24/7 responsive office or call center. You can track every driver. Please don't forget that they are legal. Legal means every taxi driver is registered as a taxi driver in the government system. Those who're saying illegals are cheaper, I advise you to try to go to the same place with the meter and without the taxi meter with illegal taxi and you will know the difference.
Qatar needs to take a leaf out of the UAE book. Strict monitoring and control of taxis.
All you have to do is complain and the driver is fined and interviewed by the authorities - keeps them on the straight and narrow.
It's all a bit of a joke anyway. The Karwa driver drives with the meter rate covered with the 'Windows' box covering the fare. Or if there's a few of you will do you a 'deal' for the trip.
Uber seems to be the only thing that works. Decent cars, the bill is the bill.
There's a few honest Karwa drivers but most forms they are out to fleece you.
i can't see any difference between private taxi and Karwa many drivers in Karwa asks for money they even do not run meter. Secondly there are multiple tricks that Karwa drivers are using to increase fare. I have traveled same distance on two different karwa taxi and the difference was more than 25 QAR.
Private taxis are comparatively cheaper. But it is always better to travel by licensed taxis.
How do you tell that a private car is registered as a taxi if if carries no markings
The taxis you are terming as "illegal" may not be so. There are many cars plying the roads in Qatar which are owned by companies and they have permission to run them as taxis. They may not have any stickers on their doors. I have always preferred to use such taxis over Karwa simply because the drivers are polite and prompt and punctual and are available at your doorstep whenever you want them to come. My experiences with Karwa taxis have not been a pleasant one most of the time when I have used one. And this experience has been over several years. I always go for a private taxi whenever I have the chance to do so.
Private Taxis much cheaper, and they can't ask for more what you give because they no they are illegal and they may face troubles if they fight for more and reach to police.
i prefer the taxi who promptly responds to my distress call.
i have used both of them.
And i find driving standards of 'íllegal' taxi and 'karwa' taxi drivers to be the same.
Equinox: Private taxis are cheaper because they don't have to pay a third party or registration fees
I chose karwa taxis. bcos illegal taxi drivers ask more money.another side we are hiring karwa taxi for a trip while we are travelling the driver doesn't any manner.they stop taxi and trying to approach other custamers.
Let all these private taxis be registered with the Karwa office, against an annual fee and personal credentials, Or there should be a mechanism by which the private taxi operators are documented with a car rental company.
This can generate a healthy competition with other taxi operators who are charging higher.
We will prefer Karwa,
Karwa have to reduce the cost & increase the cars this is the only reason for Illegal things ...........
I prefer Karwa.. Illegal ones are exactly that - ILLEGAL
People don't realise that incase of an accident or injury , you could suffer or even be held responsible.
The answer is simple - the authorities need to clamp down on such illegals.
Meter Taxis are vert expensive hence most of the low income persons prefer private taxis ..This is the fact.