Karwa men say three cheers to crackdown on illegal cabs

Source: Qatar Tribune (Exclusive) - Thursday, 17 Sept 2009
By: IKOLI VICTOR

Karwa taxis assembled for photography at Mowasalat compound.

DOHA: The sustained crackdown on private taxis by the Traffic and Patrols Department has come as a boon for Mowasalat taxi drivers whose business these clandestine taxi operators affected.

In recent weeks, the Traffic and Patrols Department has stepped up its crackdown on illegal private taxis plying in the city.

The offence is punishable under Qatar Traffic laws with a fine of QR3,000 and impounding of the car.Karwa Taxi drivers, the consequential victims of the offence, are naturally happy with the new development.

As the illegal and more numerous competitors stole their passengers with impunity, the Karwa drivers see this move as a morale booster.

Speaking to Qatar Tribune, a Filipino Taxi Driver, Ninto Mendel, said: “the increasing number of illegal taxis had apparently outnumbered Karwa taxis in the country causing the average daily income of Karwa drivers to fall.

With this crackdown, I hope to be able to meet the company’s demand and save for myself.

This crackdown is very good.” Rasik an Indian Karwa driver said, “I am happy with the current crackdown on private cabs, they compete with us at major shopping malls and bus stops, they pick up passengers from the roads and also get prior bookings on phone.” Usman Badrou an Eritrean driver wanted stronger action.

“If private cabs are totally eradicated from the roads our productivity and efficiency will be go up as there will be more passengers per vehicle to pick up.

We’ll be prompt and happy to work,” he said.

With these efforts to curb illegal private cabs, however, many residents believe that shortage of taxis in Doha would aggravate, unless Mowasalat goes for a further expansion of its fleet of buses and taxis.

Mowasalat on its part has no plans to increase its fleet of taxis.

“For now, we are concentrating on completion of the Karwa City project.

Any major expansion would come up next year,” said an official.

Kimo Mohammed, a Sudanese resident said, “Private taxis are not only cheaper than Karwa taxis.

They also come at short notice in contrast to Karwa taxis where booking 24 hours in advance is probably the only guarantee.”