The 300-odd taxi operators at Port Sultan Qaboos are complaining that this tourist season has not translated into good business, with illegal transporters eating into their share.
The matter has been brought to the notice of authorities, whose crackdown led to the arrest of nine illegal transporters on Sunday.
“Outsiders are taking away customers. Today (Sunday), less than 50 taxis were hired by tourists, although the number of visitors is quite high,” Ahmed Saif Adi Bani Arab, one of the five representatives of tour taxi operators in Muttrah, said.
“We have made a list of drivers who can take visitors according to their turn, and we charge fares approved by authorities. Despite this, illegal operators are doing good business,” said Arab.
“I have been in the line since morning but have not got a passenger,” said Salim al Shoiby, a tourist taxi operator for seven years. “Business is low this year,” he added.
Khalil Mahroon al Siyabi, another representative, said some illegal transporters operate multi-seater buses.
“They are unlicensed. We have also noticed that some arrive from UAE after booking customers in advance online,” he said.
On Sunday, a crackdown on illegal transporters by a joint team comprising officials from the ROP and the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) led to the arrest of nine unlicensed persons ferrying tourists, an ROP official said.
Khamees Saif al Hasni, another tour taxi operator suggested that allowing tourist taxis inside the port premises can curb illegal operators.
Source: MuscatDaily