By Fazeena Saleem
Doha: Some taxi drivers in the city try to intimidate women passengers in the evening by forcing them to pay up without switching on the meter midway through the journey. Taxi companies have not responded to complaints of fleecing by the drivers, the women said.
At least three women recounted what they said were their nightmarish experience while taking a taxi ride after sundown.
The women passengers said the cabbies refused to switch on the meter despite being asked to do so and demanded a fixed fare while the taxi was moving.
At least two of them said the drivers stopped the taxis midway, keeping the doors locked and demanded that a certain fare be handed over to them immediately.
“It was so terrifying an experience. I instantly handed over the money,” said an African woman, preferring not to be named.
She got into a taxi from the City Center and asked to go to Hilal one evening. “Some two minutes after the taxi began moving, the cabbie said he would be charging QR20 and refused to start the meter,” said the woman, a professional working for a private company. The driver, the woman said, realising that she was alone, stopped the cab midway and insisted that he be paid QR20. “He knew that I wouldn’t get another taxi from the spot.”
“When the taxi was close to the Hilal area he asked for more money. I refused, but he stopped the taxi again. It was dark and I had to agree to give him five more riyals,” the woman said.
“Some cabbies try to strike a conversation and even ask for personal information,” she added.
A Filipina, who works for a bank and lives in Al Mansoora, said that some cabbies pretend as though they don’t understand English and stop midway.
“It has happened with me twice while travelling in the night. When you hail a taxi and get in, their reflexes suggest they know the place you need to go to but when the taxi is on the move they pretend as though they don’t know English.”
“They stop midway and refuse to move, asking for more money. They don’t unlock the car doors until you pay. The aim is to force the passenger to pay more. They behave in a threatening way and take advantage of a woman travelling alone,” she added.
Some passengers have complained to the taxi operators but have yet to get a response.
Complaints to Karwa, Al Million or Al Ijarah taxi companies should be made through the Mowasalat website.
“I had a bad experience thrice. The third time was the worst as the driver tried to take a wrong turn and stopped the car. Intending to get more money, he refused to unlock the doors, until I told him that I would call the police,” said a Sri Lankan woman. “I filed a written complaint but didn’t get any response. We don’t know whether action has been taken or not. They should at least acknowledge as they have our contact details,” she said.
Another working woman shared a similar experience. “Once, a taxi driver refused to switch on the meter and asked for more money. I complained two months ago, but there is no response. They say the ride is free if the meter is not switched on but no action was taken in response to my complaint.”
It has been learnt that if the complaint against the driver is serious he can be suspended for three days, or gets a warning letter. However, it is not clear how a complaint is categorised.
