Based on several serious issues raised by taxi operators, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT) has confirmed that airport taxi services are operated by licensed companies — Oman Taxi and OTaxi.
The ministry said that it invited taxi operators based at Muscat International Airport to join these companies on a priority basis so that they could carry out their work in a more organised manner and as per practices followed in the rest of the world.
MoTCIT said that registration is still ongoing and operators can join one of the two companies licensed by the ministry following the procedures.
The ministry was responding to the issues raised by taxi operators who are yet to join the companies and prefer to operate under the old system.
According to a taxi owner, "Our demands are simple like that of ensuring the guarantee of our rights, listening to our feedback and providing right working conditions."
A top executive of one of the licensed companies said that while demands are genuine, it is important to take into account the interests of passengers using the services and the impression that one gives to the first-time visitors to the country.
While metered taxi fares have come down by 45 per cent since the new regulations, it is still beyond the reach of many average passengers.
"As a result, a lot of passengers take the option of Mwasalat buses or the trouble of inviting relatives or friends to pick them up, which also has a risk factor as authorities have been strict on illegal transporting by some private operators," a frequent traveller told the Observer.
Under the new system, the base rate for airport taxis is RO 1.5, with an additional 250 baisas per kilometre. Previously, the base rate was RO 3, and the additional rate was fixed at 400 baisas per kilometre.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
