45% reduction in taxi fares at Muscat International Airport

Muscat: Travellers arriving at the Muscat International Airport will heave a sigh of relief after Wednesday’s announcement by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology that the fares of airport taxis have been reduced by a massive 45 percent if booked through licensed taxi applications – OTaxi and Oman Taxi.

In recent times, boarding an airport taxi was a costly affair, which led to a growth of unlicensed operators. In a bid to provide a boost to airport taxis and more frequent use of licensed taxi applications, the Ministry has now announced a new fare system.

Under the new system, the base rate for airport taxis is OMR 1.5, with an additional 250 baizas per kilometre. Previously, the base rate was OMR 3, and the additional rate was fixed at 400 baizas per kilometre.

Besides the taxi options, Mwasalat runs airport services, which have become quite popular with travelers while going and coming to the airport.

Rakesh KP, an Indian traveller welcomed the news of reduction in the airport taxi fares. “It is big news for a frequent traveller like me, who travels to neighbouring countries for work twice a week. The app based taxis are much organised and with the fares being reduced by 45 percent, I think, the taxi system at the Muscat International Airport will be much organised.”

“Earlier, I had to encounter unpleasant conversations with unregulated taxi drivers over taxi fares. The app based applications will avoid it now,” he added.

Anita Mathews, a working woman, expressed relief with the reduction and launch of app-based taxis from the airport. “I am thankful to the ministry for taking into account the high prevailing rates of airport taxis. This move will greatly benefit the passengers as well as the taxi operators.”

To streamline taxis at airports across Oman, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) has licensed two companies, Al Sahab World Company with the Otaxi app and Ubar Smart Cities Company with the Oman Taxi app, which began operation from October 1.