The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) announcement for a timetable for taxi owners to join licensed applications will make taxi services, especially those operating in airports, affordable and help curb illegal transporters.
As part of the green incentives, it will also help reduce the number of private cars entering the airport.
Currently, app-based services are not allowed to pick up passengers (only drop-off allowed) from the airport, while licensed airport taxi services are reported to be expensive as they operate from a higher base fare.
Speaking to the Observer, the CEO of a leading app-based taxi company, said, "We have been stopped from picking-up passengers from the airport despite repeated requests. We just hope this is the first step towards change."
MTCIT has released the timetable for taxi owners to join the licensed applications. Currently, there are eight app-based services, which include one for women taxi drivers.
The ministry stated that the programme's first phase begins on October 1, which includes taxi drivers operating at the airports of the Sultanate of Oman, while the second phase will cover tourist complexes, hotels, commercial centres, and ports beginning from November 1.
The third phase will cover white and orange street taxis from January 1. which are currently mandated to operate as per a mobile-based meter.
The fare meter for an airport taxi starts from RO2.500, and each kilometre costs 400 baisas up to 40 km. After that, 200 baisas are charged for every kilometre. App-based services operate from RO1.
Many passengers use services offered by illegal transporters.
The ministry has been cracking down on illegal transportation activities in the capital, including at the airport.
Some airport users complain that they have been fined for ferrying even family members or close relatives while dropping them to the airport or for other purposes, a matter which the ministry has clarified.
A fine of RO200 is imposed on the drivers by the ministry officials if booked for illegal transportation.
An airport taxi operator told the Observer, "We get few passengers from the airport due to illegal services. We are paying fees for the operating card, insurance, parking, and fuel."
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