DOHA: With a steady increase in the number of taxis operated by private companies in Qatar, the Ministry of Transport has announced a series of measures to support their services including a major reduction in franchise fees.
Currently there are three private companies operating taxis based on a franchise agreement with public transport company Mowasalat and a fourth company is expected to launch their service very soon. Together they operate more than 1,500 taxis that are bigger in number compared to the Karwa taxis operated by Mowalalat.
The Minister of Transport H E Jassim bin Seif Ahmed Al Sulaiti has issued a decision reducing the monthly fees that these companies are paying to Mowasalat (Karwa) by 33 per cent. This reduction will come into force from October 1 for a period of five years.
This decision has been taken “because this sector is playing key role and working for public interest,” said the statement.
As an additional incentive, the ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning will allot land to the private taxi operators so that they can use it for their operations, to accommodate their staff and related purposes.
The taxis operated by private companies have also been allowed to share the taxi ranks and parking areas exclusively allotted for Karwa taxis in different parts of the country. Mowaslat is already working on a project to set up unified call center for all the taxis.
The Peninsula
