Franchise Excellence Begins Karwa Franchise

Qatar's Taxi Service Franchise -- Anyone Interested?
Source: zawya.com

The Link: http://www.zawya.com/pdfstory.cfm?storyid=ZAWYA20071114120028&l=120000071114

(Press Release of 14/11/07)

FranExcel has begun work on a fully integrated Franchise Development Program on behalf of Mowasalat, the nation's public transportation company of the State of Qatar. Their Karwa Taxi business division, will be transformed into a fully-fledged franchise system, offering the private sector the unique opportunity to operate taxis across the country.

"This is just the beginning. We operate in a proactive working environment, dynamic and ambitious. We share the common goal of having a strategic plan for the future, this after laying the important ground elements we have now. While we maintain our high operational standards, we have mapped out a strategic expansion program, which will give the private sector an equal opportunity of participating in the public transport business, by means of franchising." said Ahmed Al-Ansari, Business Development Director.

Ahmed Al Ansari

"We are excited about this expansion program and are very pleased to be working with FranExcel. Over the past year, we have been carefully preparing sensible steps to deliver a well-developed, comprehensive and profitable franchise program offering," says Senior Franchise Development Officer, Tim Garcia. He adds, "We would like to take advantage of our proven transport management success and experience in delivering integrated ground transport solutions developed over the past few years in operation, from a customer on an airport taxi ride to as big as handling an international sporting event as the Doha Asian Games 2006, a very significant factor that a potential franchise operator can capitalize on."

FranExcel Managing Director Gareth Parry said, "We are extremely happy to be working with Mowasalat and share their vision on the future of public transportation in the State of Qatar. This is unique development in Qatar and we are honoured to be helping them develop and achieve their long-term strategy. This will be a great opportunity for the private sector in Qatar to take an active role in the public transportation sector and will help deliver even higher standards alreafy being seen in the country."

Franchise Excellence (FranExcel) is headquartered in Dubai and is a global franchise marketing, consultancy and training company, with combined industry knowledge of more than 50 years and branch offices in 6 countries, serving customers in more than 30 markets. Franchise Excellence also conducts franchise infrastructure programs for governments, assists with the drafting of franchise legislation and also helps banks and financial institutions build dedicated franchise departments and systems.

Mowasalat

In just a little over 3 years since its inception, Mowasalat, the Transport Company, 100% owned by the government of the State of Qatar has been operating alongside the country's phenomenal economic growth, with a GDP now ranking among the highest in the world today.

Mowasalat - Karwa, started its operations in early 2005 with only 33 taxis and 660 buses and an additional 2,634 taxis and 657 buses in 2006, and by the end of 2007, will have a total of 2,739 taxis and 1,678 buses.

While the name Mowasalat is literally a translation of Transport Company in Arabic, the name Karwa is a local indigenous Arabic word used in the old-days of transporting people and goods known in English as "tariff" or "pay fee" for transportation. This, along with the inspiration of the brand identity, gives Karwa its uniqueness and is able to present itself with its rich cultural roots and a modern industry achiever in its class.

Karwa operates the largest number of 100 Jaguar XJ-series units in GCC, plus BMW Series 5, Mercedes Benz and Ford Crown Victoria in its Doha Limousine Department, to offer to distinguished and VIP passengers. Karwa introduced the first buses in the GCC region to run on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and now LPG Taxis to initially operate as many as 200 units by 2008.

Specially labeled Karwa Airport Taxis have been in place for airport use with 150 spacious Ford Freestar units, capable of accommodating up to 7 passengers and several big luggage pieces, normally required by arriving passengers at the airport. Karwa has also allotted a specially-built London Taxi imported from the UK and a number of GMC Vans equipped with automatic lift system to transport passengers with special needs. All these are backed by their sophisticated Call Centre Management System, where taxi and limousine units are equipped with the latest technology available using the Tetra Radio System, which offers a real-time communications and monitoring system, operating 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Serving the huge requirement of the Ministry of Education, 360 new Karwa branded buses which come specifically fitted with LCD large screens with DVD player, water dispenser, cozy interior, full climate control, and individual seat belts adds to the existing 1,200 school buses, plus 300 more new units due to arrive this year. These, on top of the 185 Public Service Vehicles (PSV) plying on more than 37 interlaced routes for public transport on the main and minor streets of Qatar. The PSV's have an easy access, low first--step, huge clear emergency windows and allotted seats for women and children near the front entrance.

In addition to the family is the Karwa Transportation and Development Centre, a driving school aimed at providing high-standard professional driving training with world-class environment, facilities and specialized trainers.

Mowasalat - Karwa, has been accredited by City & Guilds of UK and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for world-class transport safety training, ensuring the highest standards of transport training for all of our 5,391 professional drivers to date. Also, the company is a member of the International Association of Public Transport and the International Franchising Association.

Remark:

From reliable sources, this franchise project had failed to take off at the time of posting. It was published in the local media that there was not even one single local public-listed company interested in taking the franchise. A clear sign of no conficence with the franchisor?? Make your guess then ......