By Vinod Nair — MUSCAT: May 10 - Marhaba Taxi will offer on-call services with revised fares starting from RO 1.5 and thereafter 200 baisas for each kilometre. Fares are subject to approval from the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Prices were revised following feedback from the users. “Rates could be even lower and we are expecting the ministry’s approval any time. It has agreed in-principle,” said Yousuf al Yousuf al Hooti, Special Projects Manager, Marhaba. He said the meter for taxis from hotels will start from RO 3 and onwards 250 baisas for each kilometre.
The company will offer packages for tourists from Port Sultan Qaboos, which will be RO 12 per hour regardless of the distance. A VIP service will be launched for passengers with facilities such as Wi-Fi, among others. Fares will start from RO 5 and onwards 500 baisas for each kilometre. Special packages for business travellers on hourly basis will be launched. The company has over 10,000 registered users with around 700 trips conducted so far. “Most on-demand services have been availed of by women, both Omanis and expatriates,” he said.
Al Hooti said the company is in talks with automobile dealers to have ramp facilities in four cars to begin with, which will help the disabled passengers. “We hope to start these services in three to four months.” Last week, Marhaba launched its office-to-work transport service, which is available on a monthly/yearly contract basis. Under the agreement, four people can travel in one car and share the monthly charges. The service will be available during working hours.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
