Muscat – Hailing a taxi in Oman has become easier with the launch of another ride-hailing app-based taxi service – Ubar.

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology announced on Monday that it has granted a licence for on demand – both immediate and pre-booking – taxi service to Ubar Smart Cities.

Based on the successful model of ride-hailing service Uber, which has a presence in 900 cities across the world, Ubar aims to make on-demand taxi services a pleasant and smooth experience for all commuters in Oman.

The ministry stated that the licence has been given with the objective of improving public transport, stimulating tourism and boosting commercial activities in Oman.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Ahmed Salim al Siyabi, CEO of Ubar Smart Cities, said, “The service was launched on a trial basis in Muscat governorate as a first stage in January. We have now been granted a licence to offer taxi services in all the governorates of Oman.”

The company currently has 730 active drivers in the sultanate, 570 of these in Muscat and the remaining spread across the major cities of Sur, Nizwa, Sohar and Salalah. “I see immense potential in the Omani market,” said Siyabi.

Besides regular on-demand taxi services, Ubar offers commuters the option to share a ride with others. “For the first time in Oman, we offer sharing or group service. This service allows four passengers to ride in one trip to different locations.”

A female taxi service, to be operated by female drivers only, will also be launched mid-year, Siyabi informed.

Ubar’s current features include the option for riders to share their trip details, driver’s information and hourly packages starting at RO10. Payments can be made in cash, card or by using the app’s built-in wallet. ‘In addition, once you are happy with our captain (driver), you can add him to your favourite list, so the system will call him automatically every time you request a ride,’ the company stated.

Requests can also be made for vehicles equipped with child seats and a driver who speaks English, Siyabi informed.

“Our name comes from the lost city of Ubar in Dhofar, which was submerged in sand for more than 5,000 years.”