Careem launches new service in Muscat in partnership with Marhaba Taxi

Careem announces their new service in Muscat in partnership with Marhaba Taxi to serve Muscat’s 1.5 million population as well as visitors to the city. From today, customers will be able to book the “GO+” car type on the Careem app for an on demand taxi. Careem will handle all components of the service from matching the customer to their ride, to dispatching taxis, to customer service, payment and marketing.

The service will be priced in line with general Marhaba Taxi rates – no additional fees will be applied and fares will start at OMR 1.25. Careem’s platform provides transparent pricing for customers and Captains (Careem refers to drivers on their platform as “Captains”), helping to bring about a new standardisation of taxi fares in Muscat.

Having briefly launched a service in May 2017, Careem was asked by the Government of Oman to reconsider their operating model and focus first on working with licensed taxis. Today’s

announcement marks the start of Careem’s commitment to work closely with the Government of Oman to bring products and services to the country that enhance ground transportation options and increase employment opportunities. Careem is the only ride hailing player in Oman and plans to roll out full services across the country covering all major cities.

Commenting on the launch of the new service, Khaled Nuseibeh, General Manager of Careem, GCC said: “Oman is a strategically important country for us as it completes our footprint across the GCC – we are now the only ride hailing operator to offer a service across all six GCC countries. With Marhaba Taxis on our platform, we can bring all the benefits of ride hailing to customers in Muscat at affordable and transparent prices.”

Yousuf Al-Hooti, Special Projects Manager of Ingenuity Technologies LLC (Marhaba Taxi license owner) said: “We are pleased to provide Marhaba services to all Careem customers in Oman. Marhaba is known for its new vehicles, the quality of its services and for its friendly team. Marhaba has gained a reputation over the last two years for its professional services it provides in the tourism sector. Our cooperation with Careem is the first step we are taking towards new initiatives in the local market for enhancing the taxi service experience in Muscat.”