Mubasher: Omani app-based cab service OTaxi registered 30,000 taxi rides in February after its first year in operation, from just 30 in the same month a year earlier.

State-owned Oman Technology Fund (OTF) currently has a stake in the OTaxi app in view of the mushrooming passenger traffic growth, Muscat Daily reported on Sunday.

The firm plans to expand its 450-vehicle fleet by adding about 20 cars weekly and provide credit and debit card payment facilities by the end of March.  

The OTaxi app also seeks to expand to other Omani cities including Sohar and Salalah, the firm’s CEO Harith Al Maqbali said.

Although OTaxi is not allowed to take customers from Muscat’s airport, hotels, and malls, the ride-hailing app acquired 70% of market share, Al Maqbali added.

In September 2018, the leading ride-hailing app in the Middle East Careem resumed its operations in the sultanate as it stopped earlier after being asked by the Omani government to collaborate firstly with licensed taxis.

In addition, US-based Uber will be permitted to operate in Oman if it complies with the regulations governing taxis, Omani Minister of Transport and Communications Ahmed Al Futaisi stated in February.