Thursday 25 / April / 2024
Muscat: Welcoming the meter system, existing taxi drivers said they would also install meters.
“It is good that taxis will install meters, as it will benefit customers and drivers. Having a fare structure is always better, as can be seen by the success of airport taxis,” noted Abdullah Al Shibli, who represents the taxi drivers.
Also read: 2017 to be the year of taxi meters in Oman
“Many taxi drivers fleece passengers, which is not good,” said Mohammad, another taxi driver, who operates a taxi at the Ruwi bus stand.
Mohammed Al Battashi, who drives a taxi at a five-star hotel, said fares must be kept low to lure passengers. “We do not know the fares yet, so I cannot comment on whether it will be good or bad, but fares should be low to draw more people,” he noted.
Customers also agreed taxis should be metered. “Most developed countries have a metering system for their taxi services. It is high time that we also have it here,” said Sunil, an Indian expat, who uses taxis twice a day.
Taxi services must be regulated and professional, D B Chettri, a private sector employee,noted. “Personally, I do not use taxi services in Oman, as it is difficult to find them, and then you have to bargain with the drivers,” he said, stating that metered taxis are needed on Oman’s roads.
“Now, we have to pay whatever they demand, so meters are welcome. But the fares must be competitive, when compared to other parts of the world,” he asserted.
