Public bus ridership in Qatar sees massive growth
There has been massive growth in the number of people using public buses in Qatar, the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) highlighted yesterday.
An increase of 40 percent in public bus ridership has been recorded since 2015 until the end of 2018, according to MoTC.
"This is ascribed to significant enhancement works carried out by the ministry to boost the performance efficiency of the public bus service and increase ridership, in co-ordination with Mowasalat (Karwa)," MoTC stated.
The efforts taken in this regard include introducing bus routes to cover new destinations and improving existing ones, MoTC underlined.
Additionally, the MoTC has launched five new airport bus express services, linking Al Khor, The Pearl-Qatar, West Bay, Al Matar Al Qadeem and the industrial areas to Hamad International Airport.
“These enhancements have proven so popular that ridership to and from HIA has increased by nearly 90 percent over the last year and exceeded 1mn passengers, compared to 2017,” the MoTC statement added.
Exponential Growth in Public Bus Ridership#Qatar#قطر pic.twitter.com/x7RRqMm4vq
— المواصلات والاتصالات (@MOTC_QA) August 24, 2019
The improvements in existing bus routes cover the areas of the West Bay, The Pearl-Qatar and Lagoona Mall. These comprise of more frequent timetables, improvements to smartcard purchase and top-up options, and increased marketing and information about bus services, including the development and launch of the Karwa bus mobile application.
To further complement these efforts, a network of Doha Metro 'Metrolink' feeder bus routes has been introduced to support Metro operations.
At least 24 new routes have been introduced since April this year, transporting people to and from Red Line stations in the West Bay area to Al Wakrah while 25 more will be launched when the other two Doha Metro lines enter service.
The ‘Metroexpress’ service was also launched for users in the West Bay area as part of efforts to providing integrated transport solutions.
This is a free trial ride-sharing service, which currently covers the West Bay QIC and DECC station areas.
In addition to this, MoTC plans to develop four new locations for buses in Al Qassar, Al Wakrah, Lusail City and Education City, as well as open up five new bus stops in the Al Sudan area, Lusail City, Al Wakrah, the Industrial Area, Msheireb and Gharaffa, as well as set up four new bus depots that will have bus stops, bus care centers and housing and recreational facilities for the operating company’s staff.
Moreover, about 627 electric buses and their associated charging equipment will be imported and put into operation next year.
By doing so, "Qatar will become the first country in the region to have a full fleet of electric buses for public transit," MoTC said.
"The move to procure electric buses represents the MoTC’s strong commitment to sustainable and environment-friendly public transportation, aiming to make all public buses in Qatar electric by 2030,” the ministry highlighted.
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Cover Image Credit: Flickr/ Penny Wang
Yesterday morning I was waiting for the bus at Abu Hamur bus stop (19/08/2019 - 7:50 to 8:52 am). Within these 20 minutes two buses passed me but were on other side of the road. I could not get into both as I was standing at the bus stop only.
I know we have to sacrifice sometime due to the infrastructure works going on.
Even, i was about to cry when i saw the 3rd bus also moving to the other side of the road and i am going to miss that one as well.
I was worried i might be late to my work and it is not good as i just joined recently, also i have no money with me to call uber/taxi.
But the driver surprised me,
He understood i am waiting for a bus and he stopped bus at other side and called me to get in. He kept quite till i walk to the other side and he welcomed me with smiling face
I don't know his name or the number of the bus I was boarding.
I would like to express my gratitude and praying for his betterment.
Really, he is real worker, honest and asset of the authority,
I would like to suggest please if they can start the bus for lusail and inside lusail city as well.
I know very well, might be after metro line and tram line will start there Will not be any problem for travellers insha'Allah.
One thing I couldn't able to understand why each and every bus have come to main Doha bus stand.
Why they don't divide the city in different zones.
Suppose if I want to travel to lusail ... First I will go to Dafna city centre this could be first zone, second zone from Dafna city centre onward to lusail just I could change the bus if they could plan another Big Bus stand in City centre.
It will reduce the unnecessary inspection of bus each time they go to Doha bus stand which will help to reduce the manpower, increase in frequency of bus.
And also if the can assign the drivers with particullar bus and particular routes with this the Karwa can save lots of time, energy, resources and can even properly track the fuel consumption by each assign driver on daily basis weekly basis, monthly basis to their respective bus that's means less chances of any cheating, fuel scams etc.
I am not blaming just try to understand the solution which can save many things.
And one more thing the long routes like alkhor, dukkhan, mseid etc buses should be separated from ordinary buses. They should not go in the city each and every other stop.
Suppose if we are going to dukkhan the bus should take only 2 or 3 stops that's all. No need to go shahaniyya, etc,etc. They should travel straight on their particular route.
I don't have any experience of this, just to wanted to put lights on this issues the passenger could face.
Thanks & regards,
Hamid Alkaseri.
There are many reasons to the popularity of Karwa's bus service. First, the fares are cheap and affordable by most residents of Qatar especially those who fall in the lower income bracket. And they form the majority of the population of Qatar. Second, the the timings are fixed. This allows one to plan ahead and be at the bus stop some minutes before the bus arrival. Third, the buses are safe. One hardly sees any Karwa bus involved in an accident. Fourth, the system of payment of fare is rather easy. Lastly, the supervisors at the main bus station are very helpful and out to guide travelers in the best way possible. Not just that, they listen to customer complaints and take immediate action on any incident.
Having stated the above, there are no doubts there exists some room for improvements. I have two in mind. First, Karwa needs open some more places where one can get his card recharged. They should have one recharging point at Malls. There was just one place in the area where I live and it is so far that I find easier to recharge at the bus station than walk several kilometers for recharging my card. Second, there is a way by which Karwa can cut down it's operational costs by at least 30% if not more. I believe I know how but I guess the management at Karwa will need to scratch their heads on this to find out.