Here comes the double-decker bus!

Mowasalat unveils double-decker buses

Ahmed al-Ansari and other Mowasalat officials pose in front of the new double-decker and Sunny buses yesterday
By Ramesh Mathew
THE newly arrived double-decker buses of Mowasalat were introduced before a select gathering at the company compound in Mesaimeer yesterday.
Five double-decker buses were introduced along with as many 32-seater Sunny buses.
The double-decker bus runs on a 310 HP Cummins Euro 111 engine manufactured in Britain, said engineering manager (mass transit) Mohamed Ali.
Except for the Chinese chassis, the bus has mostly European components.
The lower deck seats 26 passengers and the upper deck 42. The lower deck has special seating for families and women.
The bus is fitted with either a manual or automatic ramp to help disabled persons board.
Reverse camera, closed circuit television, DVD and four units of 15-inch LCD are other prominent features, explained Ali.
Mowasalat plans to offer free rides on the double-decker buses, in particular to families, along the Corniche stretch on December 18, Qatar’s National Day.
Director of business development Ahmed al-Ansari said the free rides would be available probably from 7.30am until late in the evening. “Our plan is to run at least until the Sheraton roundabout, if not up to the City Center,” he said.
Al-Ansari said the new double-decker and Sunny buses would operate between the main bus station and City Center (Route No 76) and between the bus station and Mesaieed.
Other routes were still being worked out, he added.
The new routes were likely to be launched at the beginning of the New Year, said al-Ansari.
He said the company would add at least 55 buses next year to its public transport network, taking the total to 240.
The proposed new routes included services to Barwa housing colony in Mesaimeer and the new Catholic Church of Our Lady of Rosary, he said.