Muscat: In the year 2022, O Taxi unveiled O Female, a groundbreaking taxi service exclusively designated for female drivers, heralding a new era in the transportation sector of Oman.
From its inception, O Female has swiftly garnered acclaim, especially in Muscat, which boasts the largest fleet, closely followed by Sohar and Salalah.
This service transcends mere convenience and safety for female passengers, evolving into a pivotal opportunity for Omani women to enter the workforce and achieve financial autonomy.
O Female has emerged as a transformative force for numerous Omani women, providing them with a stable income and the flexibility of working hours.
For women who may have been deprived of the opportunity to pursue higher education, this initiative presents a significant avenue for employment.
Whether their aspirations lie in continuing their studies, supporting their families, or contributing to household income, driving for O Female offers a dependable means to fulfill these objectives. The job's flexibility also enables many women to secure a second source of income, adeptly balancing it with other commitments.
The drivers, all of whom are Omani women, convene weekly at O Female’s elegantly designed office in Ghala. Here, they discuss matters related to their work and receive guidance from a supportive team of Omani female leaders.
This environment cultivates a robust sense of community and ensures that any issues are addressed promptly. Najeeba, a young driver, expresses her enthusiasm for her role: “I am passionate about being an O Taxi driver because it offers me a minimum salary of OMR200, and the additional commission from trips can bring in up to OMR500 a month. The flexible timings are convenient, and I feel secure while on duty.”
Another driver, 28-year-old Aida, made the decision to leave her position at a prestigious bank to join O Female.
“I opted to switch jobs due to the flexibility O Female provides, and it is also a very safe environment. I now have a position that is equally financially rewarding as my previous one, yet it offers much more satisfaction and freedom.”
The service has also managed to attract professionals of high caliber. A young physician, who also works part-time as an O Female driver during the evening hours, exemplifies the service's wide-ranging appeal and the adaptability it provides to women from diverse professional backgrounds in Oman.
Central to the success of O Female is the robust leadership demonstrated by Omani women who consistently engage with drivers to ensure their support in their roles.
The CEO of O Taxi, Harith Al Maqbali, an engineer with a background in Petroleum Development Oman, has been instrumental in driving the company's expansion since its establishment in 2014.
His commitment to ensuring O Taxi's reliability and prompt service has been extended to O Female, offering not merely transportation but also empowerment for women in Oman.
