OTaxi gets nod from government

Taxi users in Oman will have more options with the government approval for OTaxi to resume services. The company officially announced that they have resumed services. Fares start from 190bz/km for the first 30km and onwards 100bz for every kilometer. Minimum fare is 1.5 RO. Unlike the two on-demand taxi companies, OTaxi service is for the normal Orange taxis that can be now booked through a mobile app. Customers will have various options to book taxis including pre-booking for a trip two days in advance. Speaking to the Observer, Harith al Maqbali, CEO, Otaxi said, “Customers can download the mobile app and avail an orange taxi anywhere in Muscat. To begin with, we have 35 drivers onboard and the number is expected to touch around 300 over next two months.” Maqbali said the company will have a soft opening ceremony in April this year. The company will be offering various incentives to drivers, including discounts with some retail stores. “We have met with all guidelines that were laid out by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC). Under the new transport law, all orange taxi operators will mandatory have to install electronic meters before the registration is renewed. Till then, fares will be calculated the mobile application. From now, Omani citizens applying for taxis should have a monthly salary that is under RO600. In August 2017, MoTC had requested the immediate suspension of Otaxi services and urged the company to obtain the mandatory license and other approvals. OTaxi had won the SAS 48H competition for the mobile application developed within 48 hours, which encouraged Zubair SEC to extend special incubation and business advisory services to further help the masterminds of OTaxi achieve their goals.