All Orange and White taxis operating must join the licensed companies before January 1, 2024, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT) stated.
The licensed companies are OmanTaxi, OTaxi, Marhaba, Hala, and Tasleem.
This is the third phase of MoTCIT plans to streamline street Orange and White taxis in the country that will now operate as per a mobile-based meter called Aber.
The first phase that started on October 1 included taxis operating at the airports while the second phase launched on November 1, covers tourist complexes, hotels, commercial centres, and ports beginning from November 1.
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Also part of the efforts, the ministry recently stipulated that 'to practice taxi activity, a light driving licence must be 3 years old from the date of issuance, and the operator's monthly salary must not exceed RO600 if an employee is in the private sector.'
The age must not be less than 21 years and not more than 60 years. One-year extensions can be given based on a medical report from accredited health institutions indicating his ability to drive a taxi.
It is also required that the age of the taxi vehicle must not exceed 7 years from the date of the year of manufacture to carry out operations at airports, ports, and hotels while the age of the taxi vehicles should not exceed 10 years from the date of the year of manufacture to practice the activity in the public places and commercial centres.
The ministry stressed the need for everyone to reconcile their situation before September 1, 2024.
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