OTaxi service makes getting a cab easier in Muscat city
Oman’s first taxi app - OTaxi is up and running, again. Its operations were shut down last year due to administrative and technical issues but it has come back after getting approval from the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC).
OTaxi is the first Omani application on smartphones to give customers a convenient, hasslefree ride. Its success tells the story of a team of Omani youth starting a business despite numerous challenges.
Speaking to Muscat Daily,
Harith al Maqbali, CEO of OTaxi said, “Our aim is to give customers comfortable rides whenever and wherever they want.”
He said that they first came up with the app in 2014 as a result of a Sas 48H competition organised by Information Technology Authority (ITA). The competition fostered startups
with innovative ideas and solutions in information and communication technology to compete for the best eGame, Web and mobile services or apps within a
span of 48 hours.
“We started operations in January 2017. In August 2017, we were asked to close operations by MoTC due to certain ad- ministrative and technical issues. In February this year, we resumed operations after getting the licence from the ministry. With new competitive rates, we are now growing rapidly.”
OTaxi manages a fleet of 200 orange-white taxis who are connected through the app. “OTaxi is as of now operational in Muscat. We are conducting trials for operations in Salalah.”
A ride can be pre-booked through the app which also has a timer to let the traveller know how much time it would take for the car to reach. One can also see how much the traveller has to pay for the ride.
“The app gives a confirmation when a ride is booked. We have eight supervisors in our operations team, working in shifts 24x7. There are three women in the marketing team. After restarting operations this year, we have been focusing on ensuring quality.”
The app was designed by Omani youth and at 190bz/km, the fare is the cheapest in town amongst all the ride-hailing options currently available
Stephanie Trier, an expat, hired a cab on the OTaxi app and travelled from Muscat International Airport to Muttrah. “I was more than happy with the service and affordable fare.”
She said that she paid much less than the earlier occasions when she had taken taxis from the airport.
Mehek Khan, a resident of Muscat has similar views. “The fare is reasonable. I was also impressed with the gentle and polite behaviour of the drivers.
OTaxi charges 190bz per kilometre. Talking about competitors, Maqbali said, “We offer better rates. On-time performance is also an important factor for us.
“Transparency is another factor that we focus on. Travellers can track the movement of drivers throughout the journey duration. The most important thing is that customers’ information is kept confidential.”