Muscat Municipality recently asked people to opt for carpooling to save time, expenses and the environment. Have you ever opted for carpooling? What are the challenges to carpooling in Oman? Here is what Muscat Daily readers said – 

Bader al Harthy, Engineer

Yes, I often carpool with my colleagues from Seeb to Ghubra. It saves fuel and reduces stress. However, the biggest challenge is the lack of dedicated carpool lanes and the uncertainty of everyone’s timings. In Oman, most people prefer the flexibility of driving alone.

Fatma al Riyami, Student

I tried carpooling with classmates during exams. It was helpful and fun. But arranging pick-ups can be tricky if someone is late. Also, there’s no proper app or system in Oman for safe, reliable carpooling. If that improves, many students would prefer sharing rides.

Khalid al Balushi, Government employee

I support carpooling and occasionally do it with my neighbours. It’s good to tackle traffic and save the environment. But with different work shifts and family commitments, it’s hard to stick to a fixed plan. Better awareness and organised platforms could make a big difference.

Rajesh Nair, IT professional

I carpool regularly from Ruwi to Al Khuwair. It’s a great way to cut fuel costs. But the challenge is coordinating with everyone’s work hours and last-minute changes. Oman needs better digital platforms for office carpooling, especially in tech parks and business districts.

Sneha Menon, Private sector employee

I work in a hospital in Ghubra and sometimes carpool with colleagues. It’s cost-effective and builds camaraderie. But with extreme summer heat, waiting outside or delays can be hard. Also, for women, safety and comfort are concerns unless the group is well-known or organised.

Ashish Wilfred, Engineer

I’ve tried carpooling – it’s budget-friendly and helps reduce traffic. But in Oman, it’s not easy. People prefer taxis or personal cars due to timing issues and lack of carpool systems. But if planned well, carpooling can save money, time and even help the environment.

Devashree Dhanapal, Student

Carpooling has merits and demerits. Carpooling saves fuel, reduces traffic, increases parking space etc. However, it presents numerous challenges – delays, lack of flexibility and privacy, people’s conflicting preferences and unequal contribution. In conclusion, introducing carpooling can be beneficial if people would adjust and contribute – if not, it can be challenging.

Salma al Habib, Homemaker

I pick up a lot of my child’s friends from school who happen to live near us. The biggest issue I face with carpooling is dealing with unexpected changes to my driving schedule such as leaving school early and unexpected absence. Without proper communication, my driving plans always fall apart.

Anwesha Mukherjee, Operations manager

I’ve opted for carpooling on occasions when my destination is very far or when I didn’t know where I was going. It can make you feel safe in numbers, but that feeling of safety also depends on who’s in the car with you at that time.