Residents welcome new taxi services in Muscat

The average commuters in Muscat have welcomed the recent initiative of the government to organise the public transport in the Sultanate, including taxi services.

Many have expressed on the Observer’s social media platforms that Salalah should have a similar transport system. Tourists and local commuters feel such announcements are need of the hour, especially at a time when the authorities are focusing on visitors from emerging countries.

Some places in Muscat are still inaccessible in the absence of a public transport system and people have to wait for hours to be dropped or picked. “I think Marhaba’s on-demand taxis are a good move though I am not sure of the prices. But I am sure, prices will be more competitive with the arrival of new players in the market,” one of them commented.

Speaking to Observer recently, Yousuf al Hooti, the special projects manager, Marhaba Taxi, said our prices and services are reviewed based on the feedback from customers.

The company started services on a monthly or yearly contract for the home-to-work commuters, under which up to four people can hire a luxury Marhaba car and share the transportation cost. “This is very important because the entire service will be organized and regulated through the use of a technology,” said Mohammed Ashraf from a marketing company. It will help my colleagues who do have a vehicle or use other means of transport. “Now with ondemand and contract-based services, they have a safer option.”

“Tourists from the middle income groups may not able to afford car rents which are often highly priced. It is necessary that we offer them an efficient public transport system,” said an independent guide catering to tourists in Muttrah.

“Fuel prices are moving up, so it is necessary that people are encouraged to use public transport,” said Hassan, a PRO in a public sector company. “Even Omanis will use the system if the services are safe, especially for women.”