It has been a difficult summer for Qatar’s taxi drivers, who are telling local media that they have resorted to bargaining to get more customers.

Karwa drivers are required to pay Mowasalat QR265 daily for use of the company’s green taxis, and can keep whatever amount of money they make on top of that fee.

But drivers are saying it has become increasingly difficult to make their minimum payments, even when working all day.

Qatar Tribune reports:

Raj Tajur, a driver of Nepali origin, said, “It is difficult to get enough customers during the summer months. I normally try to work for 10 hours every day to pay back QR265 to the company.

These days, I am borrowing the money from my friends as I’m unable to get regular passengers. At times, the revenue I earn per day, after deducting the security deposit amount, doesn’t even exceed QR80,” he said.

“When I first got a contract with the company, I thought that getting customers would not be a big problem in summer. I thought that the car will generate more money and I would save enough. But I was wrong,” he said.

To make more money, the drivers have resorted to “creative” pricing.

The Peninsula reports:

To add up to their meagre earnings, taxi drivers take several passengers to different destinations at one time charging each one a minimal fee which is usually below the minimum fare.

Bargaining is so rampant that there are specific locations where passengers who wish a good deal could find these Karwa taxis stationed.

How do you guys think Karwa should handle this problem? Have any of you tried bargaining with a taxi driver?