The ministry hopes that within three months a well equipped modern taxi fleet will be offering highly improved service to tourists as well as residents. In a latest announcement MoT has urged the private sector to come forward and be part of efforts to improve the public transport system.

The tourist taxi initiative was launched earlier in the year as a smart taxi concept. A senior MoT official told Muscat Daily 'It is the same concept but we want to avoid using the name smart taxis and rather focus on tourist taxis as it is a service basically designed for tourists.'

The service will have all the features of a modern taxi fleet like advance booking smart communications tracking system meters besides billing and service monitoring.

'Companies are being invited to manage this taxi service which will also have the option of putting up advertisements on the vehicles making for an additional source of income for the management' said the official. He added that the ministry is hopeful of launching the service in three months' time. For taxis to enter the fleet they should meet high standards regarding safety engine and vehicle life. The drivers will have to undergo a training programme.

'The new system will improve the overall experience of hiring a cab for travel in the city' said the official. The initiative was approved by a committee comprising representatives from MoT Ministry of Transport and Communications ROP Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Muscat Municipality.

The bid document will be available at the service centre of MoT's General Diwan in Al Khuwayr for a non-refundable fee of RO100 from December 30 to January 14 from 8am to 1pm. Offers should be submitted between January 17 and February 21 2016.