By Ramesh Mathew
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Many drivers of a taxi franchisee are understood to have tendered their resignation as they have been unable to make “reasonable earnings” in the face of stiff competition from “limousine” services and other factors.
Of late, the so-called “limousine” services have reportedly been eating into the market share of taxi operators and affecting their revenues.
A number of new “limousine” operators have started functioning over the last few months and many residents prefer their services – despite the generally higher fares – to those provided by cabbies, who are often accused of being “high-handed” and “unreliable”.
Now, there are reports of “large-scale” resignation at one of the franchisees owing to the “limousine” factor and other reasons. The drivers are waiting to complete their contract period, according to sources.
“Some of us are working just to clear our debts before we leave the country,” said a driver employed with the franchisee.
Another driver, who works on a contract basis with the franchisee, argued: “What’s the point in staying back in the country if we are unable to support our families back home with the meagre amount that we are getting from our job?”
The company rents its vehicles to drivers, who are supposed to give QR220 to the employer from their 12-hour duty, it is found. The cabbies also need to fill the fuel for their vehicles.
Most drivers Gulf Times spoke to said it was almost impossible to raise the money during this period, when many residents are away on holiday. “Moreover, the presence of a large number of ‘limousine’ services on the roads is making things difficult for us,” said a driver, who is waiting for the completion of his two-year contract next month.
When the rental scheme was implemented by the companies earlier, a number of drivers thought it to be beneficial and opted for the same. Now, however, some feel that working on salary is a better option.
The situation went from bad to worse in the face of aggressive marketing by the new “limousine firms”, it is understood. Thanks to their drivers’ good familiarity with the country’s roads and better understanding of local requirements, the “limousine” operators have been giving the taxi operators a tough time, it is believed.
“There are many residents, especially women, who rely only on ‘limousines’. How can we get customers under such circumstances? It’s a difficult situation,” said a taxi driver who is trying hard to clear his dues before leaving the country.
Enquiries with a taxi franchisee said many drivers do not renew their contract after the first two years. As a result, the companies are forced to use the services of new recruits who usually take a lot of time to settle down and become familiar with locations and conditions. This is happening at a time when “limousine” operators are hiring drivers with good local experience, which works as a major advantage.
Meanwhile, sources at one of the franchisees said nearly one-fourth of its 700-plus fleet was off the road due to various reasons, including accidents. They feel it is better to keep them off duty as it is not feasible to run so many vehicles in a market flooded with new “limousine” services and parallel taxi operators.