DOHA: Taxi drivers feel threatened by the increasing number of limousines in Doha, some of which have started having their own ranks in malls and hypermarkets.
“I have seen new limousines operated by at least seven companies on Doha streets in just a few months,” said a driver of Alijarah, who was irked by the presence of limousines in key areas in the city where taxis frequently ply.
Limousines drive around and pick up customers on the streets like regular taxis, which taxi drivers find unfair.
At a popular hypermarket in Doha, limousines are given priority by the management, having their stand located before the taxi rank.
According to an employee of the limousine company, the management has signed an agreement with the hypermarket to have its own stand like regular taxis.
“Actually, we don’t want to come to this area because there is a lot of competition,” said an Al Million driver.
He said it had been normal to witness limousine and taxi drivers fighting over a customer.
Despite the competition, many customers, however, prefer taxis to limousines because of the cheaper rates they offer.
While minimum fare for taxis is QR10, limousines normally charge QR15 but could go down only after negotiations which sometimes turn into arguments with customers.
Only one limousine company has the meter system, while all other limousines charge their own rates, and taxi drivers and customers doubt they are being regulated by transport authorities.
Some taxi drivers however welcome the presence of limousines, especially during peak hours when there is shortage of taxis.
“Although there are three taxi companies here, people find it hard to get a taxi between 7am and 9am,” said an Alijarah taxi driver.
With the onset of summer, the competition is becoming severe as mercury is shooting up and the number of customers dropping.
The Peninsula
