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Draft:Karwa

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Mowasalat Karwa
Native name
كروه
Karwa
IndustryPublic Transport
Founded2002; 22 years ago
HeadquartersDoha, Qatar
Number of locations
Bus

Karwa Bus stop for Bus 56, To Doha
Karwa Bus stop Najma Street
Karwa Bus stop 21/22 - Al Muntazah

Karwa Bus stop, Salwa road, Industrial Area station (Ar Rayyan)
Area served
Can be found throughout Qatar.
ProductsMobile App
ServicesRidesharing

Bus

Public Transport
Number of employees
10,000
ParentMowasalat Qatar
Websitewww.mowasalat.com karwa.qa

Karwa (Also known as Karwa Taxi locally or Mowasalat) is a private[1] Qatari public transportation company that provides Taxi, Limousine, Airport Transport and Bus services.[2] It is headquartered in Doha, [3]Qatar and is owned by Mowasalat (a government owned-public transportation service). It is one of the seven official taxi services recognised by the Qatari Government alongside others such as, Uber, Ryde, BadrGo, Zoom Ride, Aber and QDrive.[4]Mowasalat was launched in 2002, causing the removal of privately-owned yellow taxis (due to the fear of them posing a threat to the newly launched Mowasalat Taxis) This action has gained criticism due to there being less taxis [5] Karwa vehicles can be identified by their turquoise color.

Karwa Taxi

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Karwa Taxis

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The most commonly used vehicle for Karwa taxis are Toyota Camry, Toyota Previa and Volkswagen Passat

Karwa taxis can also come in different models based on the roof color.

  1. Silver Roofed (Mowasalat Taxi), this is the most commonly found Karwa Taxi and is the most widely known. These cars are typically branded Toyota Camry, Toyota Previa and Volkswagen-Jetta. These cars are the only state owned cars on the list. Note: The next 4 categories consists of franchise taxi operators that Mowasalat has incorporated. These operators maintain the same regulated branding and the same quality service standards as Mowasalat-Karwa taxis. However, unlike the silver-roofed taxis, they are limited to providing street pick-up services and bookings through the contact center.[6]


Maroon Roofed Karwa Taxi

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Maroon-roofed taxis, operated by Al Million, are one of the first taxi franchises under Mowasalat's network. Introduced in 2012, these taxis have been in operation for 12 years as of 2024. As of March 2018, the fleet consisted of 500 vehicles, making them a notable component of Qatar's transportation system.

The fleet includes Toyota Camry and Toyota Fortuner models. The Toyota Camry is used for standard passenger transport, while the Toyota Fortuner, being an SUV, provides additional space for passengers or luggage. These vehicles follow the branding and operational standards set by Mowasalat, consistent with other taxis in the network. The maroon-roofed taxis are utilized for general transport services across various areas of Qatar.[7]


Blue Roofed (Al Ijarah) Taxi

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Blue-roofed taxis, operated by Al Ijarah, are the second most common type of taxis found in Qatar. As of March 2018, there are over 1,000 of these taxis in operation, making them a significant part of the public transportation landscape in the country. These taxis have been in service for over a decade, having commenced operations in 2012.

The blue-roofed taxi fleet primarily consists of Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata, and Toyota Camry models. These vehicles are are widely used for both street pick-ups and bookings made through the contact center. The consistent presence of these taxis over the years has made them a familiar option for residents and visitors alike. Al Ijarah ensures that the vehicles adhere to the same quality and service standards as other Karwa-affiliated taxis, contributing to the overall reliability of the transportation system in Qatar.‎ [8]


Yellow roofed (Profit Trading) Karwa Taxi

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Yellow-roofed taxis, operated by Profit Trading and Contracting, are part of the Mowasalat network in Qatar. These taxis have been in service since 2014, making them operational for 10 years as of 2024. They are available in various areas across the country and contribute to Qatar's public transportation system.

The fleet primarily consists of Toyota Camry and Toyota Innova models. The Toyota Camry is widely used for general passenger transport, while the Toyota Innova offers additional seating capacity, accommodating larger groups or passengers with extra luggage. These taxis follow the standardized branding and service guidelines set by Mowasalat, aligning with the operational framework of other taxis in the network.[9]


Charcoal Roofed (Ibn Ajayan) Karwa Taxi

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This franchise is the newest addition to the Mowasalat network, having been in operation since 2015. As of 2024, it has been providing transportation services for nine years. The fleet primarily consists of Skoda Superb vehicles, along with similar models that offer similar features and capacity.

These vehicles are maintained to meet the operational standards established by Mowasalat, ensuring consistency with other taxi services in the network. The franchise focuses on providing reliable transport across various areas of Qatar while adhering to the standardized branding and quality expectations set for all Mowasalat-affiliated taxis.[10]




Luxury Vehicles

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Mowasalat operates a fleet of luxury vehicles, often referred to locally as limousines, that are available for various transportation services. These services include airport transfers, corporate travel, and private bookings. The vehicles in this fleet include models such as the Audi A4, A6, and A8. Vans and SUVs are also used.[11]

Tesla

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Karwa has recently added Teslas to its Luxury Vehicles Fleet. Namely the Model S and Model 3.[12] This was a move that contributes environmentally as Mowasalat has been fond of the idea of converting to an eco-friendly brand.


Registered Taxi Companies in Qatar

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7 Registered Companies

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Competition & Criticism

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Yellow Taxis loss

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Uber

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Low Fleet due to competition

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Recent Developments

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Conversion to Electric/Hybrid

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Tesla Added to Luxury Limousine fleet

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World Cup

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Driver demographics

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References

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  1. ^ Newspaper, The Peninsula (2014-05-20). "Karwa taxi service to be privatised". thepeninsulaqatar.com. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  2. ^ Riaaz, Ahmed. "Karwa Taxi And Doha Limousine".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "Contact Us – Mowasalat Website". www.mowasalat.com. Archived from the original on 2024-06-02. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  4. ^ Eltayeb, Mohamed (2024-07-14). "Legal action to be taken against unlicensed taxi companies in Qatar". Doha News | Qatar. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  5. ^ Newspaper, The Peninsula (2024-07-13). "Legal action to be taken against unlicensed taxi companies: Transport Ministry". thepeninsulaqatar.com. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  6. ^ "Your all-in-one guide to the different colors of the Karwa taxis!". ILoveQatar.net. Archived from the original on 2023-09-23. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  7. ^ "Your all-in-one guide to the different colors of the Karwa taxis!". ILoveQatar.net. Archived from the original on 2023-09-23. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
  8. ^ "Your all-in-one guide to the different colors of the Karwa taxis!". ILoveQatar.net. Archived from the original on 2023-09-23. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
  9. ^ "Your all-in-one guide to the different colors of the Karwa taxis!". ILoveQatar.net. Archived from the original on 2023-09-23. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
  10. ^ "Your all-in-one guide to the different colors of the Karwa taxis!". ILoveQatar.net. Archived from the original on 2023-09-23. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
  11. ^ Tribune, Qatar; webmaster (2019-01-09). "Karwa adds 40 new cars to its luxury limousine fleet". Qatar Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
  12. ^ Wright, Charlotte (2024-08-31). "Mowasalat (Karwa) Adds Tesla to Doha Limousine Airport Fleet". Marhaba Qatar. Retrieved 2024-12-21.