Business

SOMALILAND: Pioneering Taxi Business – ‘We are at least keeping times with the world’

June 27, 2012   ·   3108513 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2Fsomaliland-pioneering-taxi-business-we-are-at-least-keeping-times-with-the-world-31085SOMALILAND%3A+Pioneering+Taxi+Business+-+%E2%80%98We+are+at+least+keeping+times+with+the+world%E2%80%99+2012-06-27+12%3A38%3A44Sahra+Farahhttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2F%3Fp%3D31085

“We are at least keeping times with the world…” they say

HARGEISA — A pioneering modern exclusive city taxi-cabs operation was recently launched in Hargeisa, becoming the first firm in the country to run such business and kicked off with an initial fleet of several dozen cars.

In a celebratory and pompous inaugural festivity almost a month ago, the mini cars from India were flagged off in town to plough the streets in a cut throat business that already has batteries of taxi operators.

Schedule

The chief executive of Raho City Taxi Company, Mr. Mohamed Hashi, says that the idea of starting and introducing the services was mooted a couple of years ago.

“We decided to start the services two years ago and we have just got the operations going as scheduled,” he informed local press.

Contented

Mr. Hashi told a local press that they were contented by the model of the vehicle as taxis for the comfort they provided, capability, sleekness and its economical capacity.

“The cars can travel 200km without easily getting any technical hitches such as overheating,” he claims. And as a good salesman he adds “it consumes very little fuel and gives passengers maximum comfort needed.”

The taxi operator emphasizes that developed countries ‘thought in economical terms’ and were choosy on what was good for ‘them and their countries’.

“Since petroleum is one of the many imported products, these kind of cars save capital flight,” Hashi told the media.

Distinct

What makes Raho taxicabs stand out distinctly is not only its yellow company color and numeric labels that the cars bear, but according to Mr. Hashi the running of mini-cars whose economical operational costs and unbeatable consumer prices make them a leader.

Comprehensive

Asked whether they would get spare parts for the rare model of the cars in this part of the world, Raho city taxicabs boss said that they had taken comprehensive measures of precautions beforehand.

“Note that our plans were in high gear for two whole years before setting things in motion,” says Hashi. “Nothing could be taken for granted,” he adds.

Fares

The taxicab charge a flat rate of 15,000 SL shilling (about US$3) from downtown, which they refer to as ‘central’, to any corner of the city. However the entrepreneur cautiously elaborates “but if one rings for the cab, an additional five thousand is for the personalized service.”

Traffic

The size of the cars has an advantage over others in negotiating and snaking through the traffic jams along the streets. According to the executive “this is a prime reason why we went for the minicabs given the state of our congested streets.”

Trust

“He underpinned the fact that trust was a corner stone of their services hence lost or forgotten luggage or other passenger items would easily be reclaimed at their headquarters. We have an office in town and baggage would be in safe hands the vehicles bear large numbers,” he noted. He boasts that for the short time they have been operational customers have been overwhelmed and exhilarated by their services.

“Our passengers are just too happy. People services enjoyed in the developed countries,” Mr. Hashi said.

By M. A. Egge

Somalilandpress

June 27, 2012

Follow @somalilandpress

By Sahra Farah

Tags: cab, Raho City, Somaliland news, taxi business