Public transport in Qatar
Hi,
I come from Hong Kong and am offered work for a transport company in Qatar. I have seen many useful messages here about all basic sectors of living, which give me a general idea on the place's living costs.
One area that I remain worried is public transport. I guess most of you drive but I don't (need not drive in Hong Kong), so, I would like to ask:
(1) I am told Qatar does not have public transport system (e.g. bus), except taxi. Is it correct?
(2) If there are public bus systems, how do they charge?
(3) How do taxis charge?
(4) How much usually does it cost to take a journey within the city? How about from city to other places within the country?
Hope someone may enlighten me ...
My personal email is [email protected], be grateful if you could share with me more details ...
Thanks.
F'co
Prepare yourself for the worst days of your life coz public transport here is facked up!!
you would pay him around 500-800 p/m
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Mr. Q's Blog - A Qatari's view on Qatar.
If I hire a driver to drive my car as I do not have a driving license, how much should I pay him per hour to be reasonable?
Who's the driver? Indonesian? Others? Does he keep the car during your working time? Is the car rented?
Thanks
Hi kanova,
No, I am not joining the company you mentioned ...
Thanx.
F'co
a little progress everyday adds up to big results
Are you working with the transport company called Mowasalat?
If it is yes, then you should not have any problem at all. Please clarify and I think I should have a solution for you.
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Are you working with the transport company called Mowasalat?
If it is yes, then you should not have any problem at all. Please clarify and I think I should have a solution for you.
[img_assist|nid=24750|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=123|height=180]
At the time I paid 1,350 for 25 days at Gulf Driving School, it took me only 1 week driving study with manual. I didn't knock down any pole in pocket parking but they failed me. I was annoyed with it and moved to United Driving school to do the next test with pocket parking and road test and I passed both in 1 go. I was actually driving already with automatic car for 5 months but I don't know how to use the manual,
Driving License will cost you 155 Qatari Riyals only! ;-)
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig 2 graves...
If you want to learn how to drive, maybe you will need to pay QAR 1000 for the school for 30 days (each day one hour or less). You can take four examinations if you paid for 30 days.
You might wait for two months before you start learning how to drive because there are a lot of people who want to learn. The school might not contact you. Thus, you should visit them after two months or less from the registration day to let them know that your waiting period ended.
For every exam you need to pay QAR 50. If you failed an examination, you wait for one month before re-examination.
For every examination, you will need to show your knowledge & understading of traffic signs. You will also need to do "L" movement forward & backward. The last examination item is driving in normal streets for about three minutes. Any mistake in any item of the examination, makes you fail.
If you passed the examination, maybe you will need to pay QAR 350 for the driving licence.
Before all of that, you will need to take your visa & passport & have eyes examination at the Traffic Department in Madinat Khalifah.
Hi Karin,
Thanks for sharing your experience. It seems a reasonable amount that I can afford.
F'co
a little progress everyday adds up to big results.
Hi Mystica,
Thanks, good to know that! How much had you spent on learning to drive there? Did you get a private tutor or go to a driving school?
F'co
a little progress everyday adds up to big results.
i pay QR400/mo for my driver. His car is new toyota so its quite comfortable. but the agreement is pick up and drop from home to work - work to home 5 days a week. during weekends i take taxi to go to the malls!
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Hey! I learned to drive here! it's not that difficult! as long as you're aware what is happening around you all the time, you'll survive!
My secret is, I observed the way my hubby drives and I'm out in the street using automatic car and it feels like driving in fun fare :-) not much different :-) hi! hi! hi!
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig 2 graves...
Hi Mystica,
Thanks for the info. That is affordable.
Save more pennies ...
F'co
a little progress everyday adds up to big results.
Hi mufy,
Thanks & yes, I need to consider driving by myself seriously. Unfortunately I need to learn how to drive, hope this won't be too difficult to do so in Qatar (not enough time to learn in HK ...).
F'co
a little progress everyday adds up to big results
Only 10 Riyals more compare to local taxis.
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig 2 graves...
Hi pwb78,
Thanks for the useful tip. Regarding those private 'limo', how much do they charge per journey (need not be luxurious ...)?
F'co
a little progress everyday adds up to big results.
u can have a car but donot rely on taxi or bus. taxi take hours to come. an good car will cost you QR 1700 maximum per month for hire. u can have a driver at QR1000. petrol is damn cheap. I think u should get a car yourself. getting license here is a task. until u get license, u can hire a car and keep driver.
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Do not compare the transport in HK with Qatar, Qatar away behind HK. I suggest you should drive here or have your own car hire if you do coming here.
Taxi unreliable ... except if you prepare to pay more for limousine that you would be fine.
Good luck :-)
Using Mowasalat (Karwa) buses, you, for your first issue of Weekly & Monthly tickets, will need a FareSaver photocard, available from the Al Ghanim Bus Station. renewel of weekly and monthly FareSaver is available at Al Ghanim Bus Station.
Here is what I know about bus public transportation:
It is operated by Mowasalat (Karwa).
One month bus pass costs QAR 120 (make a card at Al-Ghanem Bus Station & buy the pass)
One week bus pass costs QAR 30 (make a card & buy the pass)
One day bus pass costs QAR 6 (buy it from driver of bus)
One trip bus pass costs QAR 2(buy it from driver of bus)
A bit ironic the transport company isn't offering you transport. :)
Taxis are unreliable for pickup and tons of new drivers don't know where they are going. It's also hot as hell waiting on taxis and buses. Many people have regular drivers that they call instead of just calling Karwa. There are many private "limo" companies that offer rides as well. Limo as in, not a Lancer.
Qatar has public buses. They are usually used by blue-collar workers and not administrative staff. They are very cheap.
Taxis will run you a minimum of US $5 per trip.
You won't go to other places in the country, trust me.