By Ramesh Mathew
The growing trend of converting vehicles running parallel taxi operations into “limousines” of licensed companies has evoked sharp and worried reactions from cabbies.
The taxi drivers accuse the “limousine” operators of eating into their market share and affecting the revenues of their franchisees. The “limousines” have hit the roads of Qatar in large numbers of late.
Commuters, on the other hand, feel the “high-handed” cabbies are largely responsible for their predicament. They argue that the “limousine” services - though sometimes too expensive - are able to flourish in the market because people see them as reliable alternatives to the normal taxis, whose drivers often refuse to go by the meter or travel short distances.
An official of one of the taxi franchisees said the rise in the number of so-called “limousines” has hit their operations hard. Incidents of arguments between Karwa-authorised cabbies and “limousine” operators are reported from many city locations every day, he pointed out.
He claimed that the “limousine” drivers were no more than parallel taxi operators who misused their limousine licences to paralyse the country’s legitimate taxi operations.
It has come to light that many of these “limousine” drivers look for passengers at busy hypermarkets, key locations across Doha and even outside the newly opened Hamad International Airport,
according to sources.
A Karwa franchisee representative recalled that when he raised the issue of “limousines encroaching upon their territory” with officials of a hypermarket, the latter ignored the matter. As each day passes, the “limousines are cornering every inch of the space earmarked for taxis”, he complained.
It is also understood that many of the new “limousine” operators are misusing the licence by paying between QR500 and QR750 as monthly fees to licensed companies to ensure that their operations are not hit under any circumstances.
The rush to shift to licensed “limousine” services started after the Ministry of Interior intensified its operations to seize vehicles running parallel operations, it is believed.
Sources also point out that many of these operators are using vehicles that are five years old or more to run “limousine” services, while there is a government rule that makes it mandatory for taxi companies to withdraw cars on the completion of three years on roads.
Complaints of overcharging have also come in from a section of residents. Some of these “limousine” operators demand QR80-100 for trips to locations such as Umm Ghuwailina and Mansoura from the new airport, it is learnt.
While calling upon the Ministry of Transport to intervene to protect the interests of taxi operators, officials of the operating franchisees said it was high time the authorities stopped issuing licences to such “limousine” services.
“Otherwise, their operations will sound the death knell to taxi operations. They will not only take away much of our business, but also make it virtually impossible for our vehicles to enter some of the places from where we used to operate,” said an
official of a franchisee.
The official said taxi operators should be allowed to implement practices such as “taxi pooling” for passengers travelling on the same route. “It will help reduce traffic congestion on such routes by reducing the number of vehicles, especially in peak hours,” he added.
Meanwhile, the official said there are some areas where taxis are unable to operate in due to logistical and other factors, and that they have no opposition to “limousines” plying there. The operations of “limousines” should be regulated elsewhere, it was observed. “Also, they should not be allowed to exploit passengers by fixing rates based on their whims in violation of all existing rules,” he stressed.
Incentives for taxi passengers sought
The operations of both parallel taxis and the so-called “limousines” can be curbed if the authorised Karwa franchisees are allowed to offer incentives to passengers, feels a section of residents.
While agreeing that the taxi franchisees face a stiff challenge from the growing trend of parallel cabs being converted into “limousines”, the commuters point out that the drivers of authorised taxis need to improve the quality of service if they want to survive in this competitive market.
Stressing the importance of having a system of incentives to lure passengers, some residents said they could stop using parallel taxis or “limousines” if the franchisees came up with innovative offers.
“If the franchisees give incentives such as gift coupons or raffle draw coupons for passengers, they would be able to attract more customers in the coming days,” said a Sri Lankan expatriate, who currently uses taxis once in a while.
“Yes, a system of incentives may prove beneficial and can even convince people like me to use the normal taxis more frequently,” said another resident. “However, the taxi drivers should not complain too much about rising competition as this is a free market. If they want to survive, they should start operating more professionally and in a passenger-friendly way.”
Another commuter said they are sometimes overcharged by the “limousine” drivers, but have little option but to avail of their services as the authorised cabbies often refuse to travel short distances or go to a particular place on flimsy grounds.
Reacting to the demand for incentives, an official of a Karwa franchisee said it is “very much practicable and workable”. Karwa should consider such incentives at the earliest, he said, adding that the “limousine” operators should also be asked to instal meters inside their vehicles.
Further, the official felt Karwa should be able to bring major brands as partners to sponsor the innovative offers, which he said would go a long way in promoting taxi services.
