Many Qatar residents have resented the practice of being solicited by 'private' taxi drivers at the Hamad International Airport (HIA).
It is noted that unauthorised people approach the arriving passengers at the HIA and canvass them for rides from the airport.
Many feel that such a practice should not be encouraged as there are authorised taxis, operated by the official service provider Mowasalat, available at the airport. Moreover, they say, it creates a bad image about the country in general, as this type of behaviour is generally noticed in countries which do not have well-regulated means of transport.
“Canvassing passengers for rides from the Hamad International Airport should not happen. This is not a decent practice and sends a wrong image about the country, especially to the passengers, who are visiting Qatar for the first time ,” said a national.
“When there are authorised taxis at the arrival terminal, why should these people approach the arriving travellers, soliciting for rides? Those who need taxis, know how to get them as there is a designated area for taxis at the airport. The airport has an efficient support system in case anyone is looking for assistance in this regard. They can avail the authorised taxis at the designated areas,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile HIA clarified that soliciting for customers by 'private' taxi operators at the airport premises is illegal and the authorities are monitoring the situation closely.
“We at Hamad International Airport advise our passengers through our official website as well as our information desks and customer service staff to only hire and board airport taxis from the airport taxi pavilion. We actively guide our passengers towards the taxi pavilion as only taxis operating from this location are authorised to do business at the airport,” HIA said in reply to a query from Gulf Times.
“All taxi drivers and vehicles available at the taxi pavilion are subject to high quality and performance standards and with a robust lost and found policy. Additionally, HIA security team in close coordination with the Traffic Police, actively monitor landside areas for unauthorised soliciting of passengers,” the HIA statement said.
The HIA website gives very detailed information about hiring taxis from the taxi pavilion at the airport.
“Arriving passengers can board a taxi at the taxi pavilion located to the left end of the Arrivals Hall. Follow the ‘Taxi’ sign at the Arrivals Hall or ask at an information desk or use our airport map to find your way. All taxis are metred and the minimum flag down fare at the airport starts at QR 25 and QR 1.20 per kilometre between 5 am to 9 pm and QR 1.80 per km between 9 pm to 5 am,” says the HIA website.
A longtime resident of the country said that the attitude of canvassing for taxi rides is a very unpleasant experience and should be avoided. “Most of the people are dropped and picked from the airport. Otherwise they make their own arrangements for their pick up from the airport. It is irritating to see such people 'accost' arriving passengers as soon as they emerge from the terminal,” he added.
Several others said though Qatar is among the safest countries in the world, this practice is susceptible to various antisocial activities and is best avoided for one's own safety and well-being.
Many feel that such a practice should not be encouraged as there are authorised taxis, operated by the official service provider Mowasalat, available at the airport. Moreover, they say, it creates a bad image about the country in general, as this type of behaviour is generally noticed in countries which do not have well-regulated means of transport.
“Canvassing passengers for rides from the Hamad International Airport should not happen. This is not a decent practice and sends a wrong image about the country, especially to the passengers, who are visiting Qatar for the first time ,” said a national.
“When there are authorised taxis at the arrival terminal, why should these people approach the arriving travellers, soliciting for rides? Those who need taxis, know how to get them as there is a designated area for taxis at the airport. The airport has an efficient support system in case anyone is looking for assistance in this regard. They can avail the authorised taxis at the designated areas,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile HIA clarified that soliciting for customers by 'private' taxi operators at the airport premises is illegal and the authorities are monitoring the situation closely.
“We at Hamad International Airport advise our passengers through our official website as well as our information desks and customer service staff to only hire and board airport taxis from the airport taxi pavilion. We actively guide our passengers towards the taxi pavilion as only taxis operating from this location are authorised to do business at the airport,” HIA said in reply to a query from Gulf Times.
“All taxi drivers and vehicles available at the taxi pavilion are subject to high quality and performance standards and with a robust lost and found policy. Additionally, HIA security team in close coordination with the Traffic Police, actively monitor landside areas for unauthorised soliciting of passengers,” the HIA statement said.
The HIA website gives very detailed information about hiring taxis from the taxi pavilion at the airport.
“Arriving passengers can board a taxi at the taxi pavilion located to the left end of the Arrivals Hall. Follow the ‘Taxi’ sign at the Arrivals Hall or ask at an information desk or use our airport map to find your way. All taxis are metred and the minimum flag down fare at the airport starts at QR 25 and QR 1.20 per kilometre between 5 am to 9 pm and QR 1.80 per km between 9 pm to 5 am,” says the HIA website.
A longtime resident of the country said that the attitude of canvassing for taxi rides is a very unpleasant experience and should be avoided. “Most of the people are dropped and picked from the airport. Otherwise they make their own arrangements for their pick up from the airport. It is irritating to see such people 'accost' arriving passengers as soon as they emerge from the terminal,” he added.
Several others said though Qatar is among the safest countries in the world, this practice is susceptible to various antisocial activities and is best avoided for one's own safety and well-being.
