DOHA: Commuters travelling over short distances in Karwa taxis were hit hard by the sudden fare hike yesterday, as the minimum amount for a trip has been raised to QR10 by the operator, Mowasalat.
The taxi meters, however, will calculate the fares as earlier, beginning with a QR4 flag-fall. So, long distance commuters wouldn't be affected much.
A trip will, though, cost a minimum of QR10 instead of QR4 which was the case earlier.
The step has been taken by Mowasalat as Karwa cabbies were reluctant to pick up short-distance passengers, company sources said.
The minimum fares for the airport taxis have been raised from QR18 to QR25.
Surprisingly, the hike was implemented without any official announcement in the media. A senior spokesman of the company said yesterday that he was not officially informed about
the hike. "I came to know about it from other sources. I am surprised why no press statement was issued about such an important decision," said the official, seeking anonymity.
At least one Karwa cabbie told this reporter that he came to know of the fare hike only yesterday morning when he went to take the vehicle.
He said throughout the day passengers had argued with him over the actual fare charged
vis-a-vis what the meter showed.
All commuters will now pay QR10 as the minimum fare irrespective of the distance travelled. QR4 remains the flag fall as before and the fare on additional kilometres travelled will be calculated as it was done earlier. A commuter will be charged a minimum of QR10 even though he travels a very short distance and the meter displays less than that amount. The passenger will then be issued a receipt showing QR10 as the fare which has been made possible through a technical adjustment in the meter.
The same rule applies to airport taxis as well for which commuters will now pay QR25, instead of QR18 as the minimum fare.
Although no official explanation was available yesterday, a Karwa source said the hike was inspired by a similar system followed in cities like Dubai.
Some Karwa drivers are unwilling to take commuters for short distances, especially in the peak hours and a hike in the minimum fare was expected to address this issue.
However, commuters feel that the hike is totally unjustified and it will force more people to rely on the illegal cabs.
"Public taxis are intended mostly for short trips and it is not justifiable to charge QR10 just for hailing a cab," said a concerned resident.
© The Peninsula 2011
