GT reporter identifies a problem in Qatar

2020, I still think 2 cars per household for ALL is the best solution.

People simply can't do without cars here at this time.

Once the infrastructure is in place, other solutions are evident. Until then, either it stays as it is, or, 2 cars per.

This idea that one has to have more than the other because of who they are is not working. It is detrimental to the country.

Then what is your suggested solution nomerci?

Qatar is working to build a subway system but that is a long way off. More immediately, companies with employees on common compounds and areas could also provide a bus service, as much of this traffic is just one person in one car driving from home to work, sitting in a parking lot all day and then driving home. If stricter laws on car ownership were in place or higher fees for car operation, my guess is that companies that employ vital expats will find ways to provide ways for their employees to get to work efficiently.

Well, 2020, the thing is people NEED a car to get around here, as opposed to Paris, where walking is possible and the Metro is available. That is not the case here.

I mentioned in a post in this thread yesterday what needs to be done to make this possible.

See, one can't take an example like Paris when the situation is totally different.

And yes, the expats seem to get the brunt, but this is another thing that needs to be looked at...you can't take away from those who you invite to do the work....they might just rethink their position. The world economy is picking up,and people are looking at other options.

Qatar is not a bad place to make money and live, as far as expat places go, but there is a limit to what people want to put up with.

I know for sure that a lot of people would leave if they were not allowed to be freely mobile.

nomerci--Like everything in Qatar, expats tend to bear brunt of the restrictions. One option I have heard suggested by others is the method used in Paris--odd or even licensing plates on certain days. The problem with that is having a reliable central messaging system.

Sounds like valet parking to me Britexpat. I am in favor of more of that!

JJJ75--It's not my fault or problem that you want to misperceive me. But I do object to your slanderous, hateful statement above. So far you have accused me of being hateful of all women, hateful of all British people and misogynistic. All because I was in favor of reducing the number of cars allowable per expat family--nothing targeted at women or British expats. Next you no doubt plan to call me a zionist and a nazi.

You are being a bully who shouts down anyone who disagrees with you by calling them names and throwing insults, and you should be ashamed of yourself. Remember your QL community guidelines.

NO! I will hire Rizks and other drivers for car collection and parking in discreet places..

I will also use car trailers to park cars :o)

2020, less cars on the road would indeed be a blessing.

I think that should involve ALL people living in Qatar though.

I also think that 2 cars per household in Qatar would be a good solution.

And then maybe the problem of inadequate driving style could be seriously thought about.

Wow. Keep your cool jjj75. This is just about parking and traffic.

2020 - well you do a dammned fine impression, perhaps you should work on how you are perceived?

I hate neither JJJ75. And I have said nothing to that effect on this thread. So please stop slandering me with your hateful comments, and remember the QL guidelines.

Britexpat--isn't that kind of like a taxi stand?

This is a question for 2020, I am trying to understand why you hate Women/British people or both? I genuinely want to know.

I'm thinking of opening a portable parking lot .. what are the chances of success ?

Not unless you try. But then again soon you and others will have no choice but to adapt. Not my problem really. :-)

Carpool - not possible

living closer to work - not possible

I think you've told all more than enough about your domestic arrangements and dissatisfaction with them. I really don't need to know any more. Just today you told us how you don't know any married British women whose husbands help out with housework and that you standard of living here is lower than in the UK. Yes, you are such a private person. LOL.

Still avoiding my original suggestions about carpooling or living closer to his work and driving him yourself. Too confusing with all the housework you do all by yourself I suppose . . .

Oh well, doesn't matter, you'll have to figure out how to manage soon enough. :)

2020 - I am not going to explain my domestic arrangements to you, as much as you would like me to.

Yes, Mr. JJJ75, who apparently does no work at home, may need to carpool to work.

For what it is worth, I have heard from several sources that the idea of restricting the number of cars for expats is being floated.

You still haven't read my whole post. You just focused on one part as usual. ROFL.

Get back to me when you have read it and have a real comment.

2020 - not my fault you missed one crucial bit from my comments- I WORK - when you have grasped that and worked out the logistical implications, come back to me. If it is too confusing, better not to show yourself up.

jjj75 said "My standard of living has overall gone down here not up". Then why are you here? Why not enjoy a better standard of living in your home country? With two cars and so-called civilized people.

BTW--you clearly did not read my full post with range of suggestions for managing with one car. Get back to me when you have.

2020 - are you suggesting i leave my children alone whilst I am at work - where I come from that is child abuse and you would have social services knocking at your door. I pity your children if that is your attitude to parenting.

Had 2 cars in my home country - so where was I lacking there? My standard of living has overall gone down here not up and would significantly deteriorate if we were to only have access to one car. It is not a luxury, something I would need to go about my every day business.

Or should I employe a driver and breast feed him?

Maybe Mr JJJ75 can carpool with someone he works, you live closer to his work and drive him yourself, watch your own child rather than go to nursery, shop after your husband is home from work--the possibilities of managing with one car are endless. Although it will take some organization efforts from you, which can be hard for an indulged expat woman who feels entitled to luxuries she lacks in her own country.

My guess is if such a law were implemented you would not go home. You would simply make the adjustments, go on with you life, and then complain on QL. LOL!

btw--such solutions and others are being taken more seriously as traffic becomes more worse.

that on your first post, i.e. remove the R/A's with signals lights! Did you see the difference?

@flor - yes, remove traffic lights on roundabouts, particularly the ones that just endlessly flash amber. What are they supposed to achieve? Just smash down the roundabout and build new traffic intersections outright, like what they've done to the Mall intersection.

jjj, I hear you.

I have to admit though, I never took my littlies shopping with me. Too much hassle. Unless I was with my husband or nanny.

Such insight. Mr. Ayman will be senior editor soon.

There is a simple answer. Don't issue driving licenses to Expats.

nomerci - you can leave the car seats in your car when you get there as well as one of the prams, then put one child (toddler in the trolley) and carry the baby in a sling or push the pram - slightly awkward but i have done it.

BUT it is 10x worse if you are in a taxi or on the bus- what do you do when you come by bus and taxi and you have to take out the car seats and the pram (for arguments sake, just one pram on this occasion) cart those around as well as push the trolley and then carry the shopping later - not everyone has a maid that follows 10 paces behind them.

Well jjj, yes and no...even if you have a car...how do you manage 2 littlies in a supermarket???

I think one simply needs to adjust one's lifestyle as a whole to manage a healthier and better lifestyle.

Of course, to talk about this here is moot anyway, as it simply won't happen.

Not even sure it would be practical then, you will find that to get around adequately with kids and run errands at the same time, you would need to take a taxi, so that you can juggle all of those things (in my instance 2x car seats, 2x pram plus shopping, if going to supermarket) and if you are going to use taxis all the time, then you might as well have a car, it makes little difference.

Well that's just greedy NM :p

TB..NOOOOOOO....I am a woman and I can multitask..I INSIST on driving all 3 at the same time!

I think you should only be allowed to drive one car at a time.

Sure, one car per visa is fine IF and WHEN there is adequate public transport.

And proper sidewalks for people to walk on, and zebra crossings on roads (and traffic police guarding each and every one, so people won't get killed by those no paying heed to them, same goes for the sidewalks).

Plus shaded foot bridges..etc, etc, etc.

So basically one car per visa is possible once the infra structure and mentality of people are properly adjusted.

Now we can wait....but please, nobody hold their breath...we don't want lots of dead people here...

wow.

BTW, your profile picture is HARAM.

2020 wants to limit the cars that an expatriate family owns (which probably contributes very little to the traffic problems in this country) but says nothing about improving the quality of roads (less endless roadworks unless it's to build flyovers or widen the road, eliminating traffic lights at roundabouts) or improving parking by building multi-storey lots.

Good thing people like him arent the decision makers in this country.

ahhhhhh. Either he is being misogynistic as he knows that if you restrict the car to the person who is on the work visa (90% time this is the male in the house), then you restrict what the wife can do/where she can go. OR he has simply not thought it through???!!!

Well, that's what 2020 would want.

LP???

You can't live here, jjj75. Go home!

2020 - then tell me how I am supposed to get to work, take my son to nursery, go grocery shopping, as I am on a family visa and by your regulations, I would not be entitled to a car, my husband would (he works far away and longer hours, so I have to pick up the slack on the domestic front).

We need stricter rules on who can have a car. Too many bad shape vehicles of the poor driving around. Also too many expat cars. Best answer is have stricter laws on car quality--getting rid of poor people cars--and limit the numbers an expat family can have to one per work visa.

wow that was new news for me, no parking in Doha? no way

I am going to start an essay on shortage of common sense among expat and Qatari drivers in Doha.

the reporter just figured this out recently?

good thing i disposed my car already!

mental Kat, i think 'No Parking' board was written in arabic "Maafi Barking' and u parked there like a fool.....:)

"Yet, those who enforce the traffic law insist that they apply only the spirit of the law and do not register every parking violation spotted"

My furry ARSE!! I was parked in a place where there was NO Sign Board saying "NO Parking" there were 6 other cars parked there, it was NOT blocking any traffic or causing any other imaginable traffic violation and still i got a 300 bucks ticket in Sofitel area.

That area is like the prime location for these cops to run around sticking every car with a parking violation.

Hahaha and the parking in city centre is set to get worse as they are taking more space for more shops that no one will shop at. Go figure!!!!

Such amazing journalism, they have exposed a potential problem that had gone completely unnoticed by drivers in Doha before this article.