Visitors advised to avoid unlicensed taxis from Muscat airport

Muscat: Visitors to Muscat International airport shouldn’t use unlicensed taxis from the airport, the Ministry of Transport has said, as they can be tricked or forced to share rides with others. Unlicensed taxis can also affect tourism in the country negatively.
Unlicensed taxis can be fined for the activity, as well as for ride-sharing, price-gouging, or parking in unauthorised areas. The ministry also said that the licensed carrier, Mwasalat, has none of these issues, and should be used instead.
Falah Al Jabri, Acting Manager of Media at the Ministry of Transport, said exclusively to Times of Oman, “Normal orange taxis are not licensed to carry passengers from the airport, but they are allowed to bring passengers to the airport. Mwasalat (red and orange taxis) is the only agency authorised to carry passengers from the airport because of the quality of the vehicles and specific technical requirements from the ministry. This is because taxis at the airport are considered to be at the forefront of Omani tourism.”
This came in response to complaints raised by citizens, residents and visitors to Muscat International Airport regarding unlicensed taxis.
One visitor said, “Exiting the airport, somebody asked me if I wanted a taxi and I said yes. He took me directly to the basement parking lot and then he just switched on the car and walked away.”
An orange taxi driver from al Sharqiya said, “Tourists wouldn’t even know the right rate. If you say OMR50, they’d pay it. And it ruins the image of the country when a tourist comes in and the first thing he or she sees is people crowding and fighting over costumers. How can it not negatively impact tourism?”
Al Jabri added, “There are no negotiations in Mwasalat taxis, but rather a meter system that was approved by the ministry. As for ride sharing, this does not exist unless the visitor wishes it, and the vehicle will charge meter rates regardless. Finally, any taxi parked in parking spots other than the designated areas will be fined.”
An official at Mwasalat said exclusively to Times of Oman, “Some of the problems with unofficial taxis are mannerisms, ride-sharing, price-gouging and a lack of meters. Mwasalat has none of these issues. And the condition of Mwasalat’s vehicles and methods of communication with the driver are standardised.”
Mwasalat encouraged tourists and visitors to Muscat Airport to use their services rather than the normal taxis.