Recent Improvements in the Public Transport Sector in Oman

The Sultanate of Oman has recently seen a shift in public transport methods towards more convenient and accessible means of short-distance travel. Previously, the main forms of public transport available to individuals were the conventional orange and white (or “street”) taxis used for short to medium distances, and Oman National Transport Company (“ONTC”) buses for long-distance journeys.

While the ONTC buses were adequate for long-distance travel, the options for short-distance transport seemed relatively outdated when compared to neighboring countries. Taxis were not required to use a meter unless operating from the airport (as required by Ministerial Decision 34/1998), and commuters were subject to varying and unpredictable pricing. However, in the past year, the ONTC has been rebranded and restructured as Mwasalat, and Marhaba Taxi has begun operations in Oman. These developments have improved and modernized the transport system, and have resulted in an uptick in consumer use.

The rebranding of ONTC to Mwasalat has been hailed as major development, as the company introduced new buses with modern features and operational protocols. Mwasalat has also been granted a licence by Ministry of Transport and Communications (the “MOTC”) to start operating taxis from airports and malls which, in turn, will provide tourists and citizens alike with comfort, ease of mind and modern means of transport.

The commencement of the operations of Marhaba Taxi in Oman has also led to better public transport services, as individuals may now use their smart phones to book taxis in a convenient and safe manner. Marhaba Taxi has also been provided with a licence to operate from Sultan Qaboos Port and hotels, which should lead to better services in general to and from the main hubs used by residents and tourists alike.

It is important to note that the licences given to Mwasalat and Marhaba Taxi have been granted to manage the services in those specific areas, and not to completely replace the current street taxis operating in those areas. In turn, street taxis will not be permitted to offer their services in the specific areas assigned to the two companies, unless they are working under the relevant licensed company. MOTC has urged all taxi owners operating near these specific area to join either Marhaba Taxi or Mwasalat accordingly in order to be permitted to operate therein. Street taxis not operating in these designated locations remain subject to their current regulatory scheme, though the MOTC is expected to issue revised regulations in the near future.

With the implementation of these regulations and the issuance of the above-mentioned licences, MOTC has contributed significantly to the development of the public transport sector in Oman, establishing new services while retaining the services of the conventional orange and white taxi drivers. Moreover, MOTC has been able to provide much-needed security, efficiency and technology in this area as requested and required by the general public. MOTC has also recently provided official and approved tariffs for transport, which could lead the way to implementing a metering system for street taxis as well. MOTC has also sought to provide better training of taxi drivers, particularly with regard to safety and security protocols.

The revamped transport sector in Oman is expected to contribute greatly towards the development of various other sectors, including tourism, whilst also spurring job creation. It is important to keep in mind that taxi drivers must be Omani citizens, thereby contributing to Omanisation and in-country value.