The local CityVan service by CityBus rebranded and relaunched a few days ago as GoCity. GoCity now has two services that fall under it, the first is GoCity Van which is what CityVan used to be while the second service is new and called GoCity Cab.
GoCity Cab is basically our local version of Uber and allows you to book a cab via the app. I haven’t used them yet but I did download and set up the app just to get a feel for how it works and so far my first impressions are good. The app is well designed, easy to use and easy to set up. I’m home now so I set my location in Salmiya and then put my destination as Avenues and got an estimate of KD2.800 as the ride fee and 6 minutes as the wait time for a cab. The app had options for an SUV and Premium car but both weren’t available for me when I was testing the app out.
I don’t know whats the hold up with Uber coming to Kuwait, there has been talk about them entering the market for years but nothing has come of it. I personally use Q8 Grand Limo whenever I need a cab and I really like the service and experience. But, Q8 Grand Limo is pricey and only makes sense for me since I don’t take cabs often. If I had to use cabs all the time then GoCity would make more sense.
Right now they have two promos running, one is a 25% discount if you use the code “GO25” while the other one is a 100% cash back as credit into your account if use the code “JUSTGO”. If you end up using the service let us know in the comments what you thought of it and also what were the conditions of the cars.
To download the app click [Here]
Update: iOS users can find the app in the Apple Store, just search for GoCity
35 replies on “GoCity – A New Cab Booking App”
Their also careem in Kuwait which iis similar to uber
Apparently not on iOS as yet. That’s a bummer!
I installed it on my iPhone
Ok not sure why their website says coming soon the app is out if you look for it on the Apple store
GoCity App is available on App Store for iOS devices.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cityvan-kuwait-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%83%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%AA/id1287057666?ls=1&mt=8
There is a similar app called Careem which does the same job and has been there for over an year now.
https://248am.com/mark/information/easy-taxi-now-has-competition-careem/
I just used Careem today and it was no different than picking up a cab on the street. The driver barely spoke English and the car wasn’t very clean.
Surprising. Using Careem since two years and have always got clean cars and great drivers.
The key differentiator between Careem, Q8garndlimo vs. Uber which led that uber also didn’t make it’s penetration to Kuwait scene is that the business model.
In a sense, Uber runs on crowdsourcing the trade in the hands of anyone who wishes to become a driver of an uber, thus you don’t need to register as an official cab or get a certain official paperwork. instead just requires to pass Uber’s driver enrollment requirements and become a driver.
Thus, Kuwait is uber unfriendly until further notice, or in my opinion, forever, giving the fact that most of cab’s companies here are lobbied and owned by previous MoI officers which are highly influencing any step towards crowd-sourcing.
I have to correct you here, Uber has various business models and in some countries like the UAE and the UK only registered or official cabs can be Uber drivers. In the US anybody could be an Uber driver but that system isn’t available in all countries it depends on the laws. So this is not why they aren’t in Kuwait yet.
In Bahrain, Uber uses the regular taxis as part of its Uber fleet.
You’re right mark. I drive for Lyft and Uber here in Ottawa. In Toronto you need a license from the city but anyone can get it. I’m starting an rideshare company and hopefully it will make its way to Kuwait. We’ve done researched and seen that we can make it work in Kuwait just like Ottawa. Be on the lookout for it, it’s called shap
Hmm, well my encounters with Uber was in Lebanon & France. in both scenarios it was crowdsourced.
however, you’re right they might have different business models reliant on the state they operate in.
In Lebanon the cars that pick you up have red plates, they’re licensed cab drivers. I believe in Paris it’s the same but I’ll have to double check.
I know for sure Paris, Amsterdam, Dubai, all have to be licensed drivers
I actually recalled that I used Uber in Prague and surely it wasn’t licensed.
but yea if the above cities we only with red plat numbers than I must’ve slipped to notice it.
I’d prefer to use Careem, available all over the Middle East, user friendly, and you get skywards points for every ride.
Careem is my top choice, especially when choosing “Business”. I had a brand new Lincoln Continental pick me up and it was awesome
Careem has been great every time I have used it. Convenient payment, and the taxis are in great shape and deliver good service because they know they are being regularly appraised.
Been in kuwait a long time. I hate to sound like a pessimist but I’m so tired of taxis that are dirty, have rude drivers who smell like grime or armpit — and target Western customers for double the fees — AND frequently don’t actually know how to find places well! It seems to receive somewhat decent service I have to pay the high prices of Q8Limo or related. Careem has poor quality cars and drivers so hopefully GoCity can provide more consistent quality.
I have been told by a very reputable health official in kuwait that many of these taxis are carriers of — and breading grounds for — bed bugs. Sorry. I know. Gross. Disturbing.
These cars do not have to adhere to any standard of cleanliness and nobody checks or monitors. Eww. And the bedbug issue is already rampant in kuwait and getting worse. Be careful. Seems we have to be very careful where we sit and put down our bags
Kuwait is in dire need to have better public transportation! The congestion on the roads is so draining, having more cars on the road roaming around freely is not helping to address this glut!
I tried the gocity app and it sucks
The map is not proper.
The driver arrives on the other side of the block and when u call then they don’t know English mostly.
Finally got the driver and he does not know the location even.
He started driving me in the opposite route
I wanted to try it yesterday – wanted a ride for my friend – the app did not show any cab in Rumithya area nor anywhere near to it.
Same issue with me,
I had to try twice to get 1 cab and that also was a headache the person did not know the way. Had to get off half way.
I have tried this service and I would say its shit.. First of all they have 50% discount cod which doesn’t worked. then from Ardiya to Farwaniya it showed on app is 1.900 KD but they charged me 3.200 KD whereas the maximum we pay to regular taxi 1.5KD for this trip.
They really need to think about their rates if they want to compete with local taxi.
Dear Ali,
Thank you for your feedback. In order to avail the 50% discount you need to enter the promo code and discount will apply to the final fare calculated upon ride completion. The fare calculation is available under Rates in the menu and is reasonable for the convenience offered to book a cab using your mobile phone.
If the app quotes a fare, how it can be changed after the trip completion? So why dont it show the discounted fare after putting the promo code?
This service is not reliable at all.
Had booked (Ref SR001308) van Sunday 6th Jan 2019 2:20 am from Airport to Block 12 Salmiya.
Driver number 50611749 non existent
Call center 1882211 and Whatsapp number 60303722 not reachable Email / Instagram / Chatbot – no response
Was stuck at the Airport for 45 min with family
later took airport limousine home.
Only airport cabs are allowed at the airport, other cabs aren’t allowed to pick up passengers from arrivals
If that’s the case, why did they send a confirmation message with the driver details.
no idea, it would make sense that they decline the pickup or notify you that they aren’t allowed to but they probably don’t have a system in place for situations like this since they’re new. did you leave them a comment on insta? when i had an issue with them they ignored my DM but responded to my comment.
These services won’t work in Kuwait because majority of the population has a car and liquor is banned. The only reason you would hire a cab when you have a car is when you are drunk.
Your thinking is flawed