Muscat: The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT) has slashed the airport taxi fares by nearly 45 percent.
As per the latest announcement, fares on the mobile application of two licensed companies will start at RO1.5, followed by 250 basis for every kilometer.
With new fares, fares from the Muscat International Airport to the Ruwi area will be around RO9.2 to RO9.5.
MTCIT said that it issued licenses to manage the taxi service at Muscat International Airport to OTaxi and OmanTaxi applications after they met the requirements and provisions of the regulatory regulations of the Land Transport Law.
Both companies are giving priority via applications to current owners of taxis operating at Muscat International Airport.
The companies will train them, develop their skills, and fulfill all technical requirements specified by the ministry in the license in order to improve the public transportation system in the Sultanate of Oman.
Airport taxi drivers will be given the opportunity to transport passengers to the airport, which will benefit them from this service that was not previously available to them, and the provision of the service at the airport will be limited to those organizing these applications only. The ministry allows companies to offer trips at fixed prices determined before the trip.
The high airport taxi fares forced users to resort to illegal transportation, which is banned under the Land Transportation Law.
Taxies will be also equipped with route tracking and monitoring systems to ensure the privacy and security of the user.
Speaking to the Observer, officials of both companies said, "This decision is highly welcome and it will be more than the on-demand rates but will be less than the current airport taxi fares."
MTCIT had urged taxi drivers operating at airports to join the licensed applications before October 1 and released the timetable for taxi owners to join the licensed applications.
The ministry stated that the first phase includes taxi drivers operating at the airports of the Sultanate of Oman, while the second phase will cover tourist complexes, hotels, commercial centers, and ports beginning from November 1.
The third phase will cover white and orange street taxis from January 1, which are currently mandated to operate as per a mobile-based meter called Aber.
With the Aber program, the ministry seeks to improve the taxi sector by using advanced technologies It may be noted that the MTCT has been cracking down on illegal transportation activities in the capital, including at the airport.
A fine of RO200 is imposed on the drivers by the ministry officials if booked for illegal transportation.
An airport taxi operator told the Observer, “We get few passengers from the airport due to illegal services. We are paying fees for the operating card, insurance, parking, and fuel.
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