Oman's capital Muscat will get a public transport boost with the indtoruction of a new taxi service and an expanded new bus network this year, a report quoting officials said.

Mwasalat will manage a technology-driven taxi service at the Muscat International Airport, malls and commercial centres and on-demand services. It has also launched tenders for 111 buses, including 85 for Muscat.

The design (exterior) of the taxis has been finalised and final approval from different authorities are awaited, said Ahmed al Balushi, CEO, Mwasalat, in an Oman Daily Observer report. "We hope to get this approval by early next month,” he said.

The technology for the taxis will be in place by the third or fourth quarter of this year. Once the technology is ready, the company will take over the taxi operations, he said.

The company is currently recruiting the teams and liaising with different agencies such as Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC), Ministry of Transport and Communications and Royal Oman Police (ROP).

With Mwasalat taxis, people can book services much in advance and there will be also a mobile application, he said.