Tribune News Network
Doha
With the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Mowasalat (Karwa) has set a new benchmark for event transportation worldwide. The company has shown that mega-operations can be achieved with sustainable solutions.
For WC Qatar 2022, Mowasalat (Karwa) deployed 4,000 buses and a workforce of more than 18,000 staff from 90 nations, including thousands of specially trained drivers for the tournament. The bus services safely shuttled more than 7,550,760 passengers through all services, including the public bus and Metrolink network, which operated for extended hours during the tournament on more than 200 routes.
Mowasalat (Karwa) provided diverse tournament bus services, including accommodation connector services, which transported passengers to stadiums from the main accommodation hubs and cruise ships, beside Central Doha services, which were dedicated to transporting passengers to fan zones and events around the Corniche, Central Doha, and the B-Ring and C-Ring Roads. The airports connector services took care of travellers from Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport. Mowasalat (Karwa) also provided taxis, limousines and accessible vehicles services around the clock at the airports.
At the conclusion of this mammoth project, the company recorded an incredible 2,910,425 of kilometres driven and 234,447 of operational staff working hours only for the tournament-related bus services.
One of the most spectacular offerings, and as a first in the history of the tournament, fans had the opportunity to watch more than a match in one day through the dedicated Stadium-to-Stadium shuttles, which was truly appreciated by 54,709 of users. As a special service to Qatar’s neighbouring countries, about 600 buses were dedicated to transport a total of 414,970 fans arriving at Abu Samra borders to attend matches and enjoy the tournament.
Another first was the deployment of almost 900 e-buses, which reduced the carbon footprint of the event in an equivalent of the CO2 absorption of 18,078 of trees. This is not only part of the company’s declared sustainability goals, but - on a larger scale - also Mowasalat’s goal to contribute to the ecological target of the Qatar National Vision 2030. In this regard, the tournament acted as a catalyst to build expertise in environmentally friendly transport solutions, which will be one foundation pillar of a soon-100 percent green public shared transport network.
In line with the country’s agenda of ‘Qatar for All’, the company also made good on its promise to provide easy and reliable access to transportation for people in wheelchairs. Mowasalat dedicated a fleet of 70 special vehicles that operated around the clock to make sure that everyone could enjoy the spectacle to the fullest. In addition, more than 938 buses from its fleet were wheelchair accessible.
For guests with individual transport requirements, Karwa ramped up its Taxi and Limousines Services to cater to the enormous influx of international guests. 3,000 vehicles ran for a total of 571,699 trips and brought almost 1 million passengers to their individual destinations in and around Doha.
Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, the CEO of Mowasalat (Karwa), said: "I am more than pleased to see that years of detailed planning, training, and testing have paid off to provide an exceptional experience and bring seamless, safe and eco-friendly transportation to the community of fans, residents and guests from all over the world. Our team has gone to great lengths to employ the latest technology, equipment, and vehicles to achieve our high sustainability goals.
"Most of all, the realisation of this project could not have happened without the commitment and dedication of thousands of volunteers and staff that put and keep all gears in motion. We are proud to have added considerable value to the event, and to again have underlined the company’s leading role in transportation in the region.”
Ahmad Hassan Al Obaidly, the COO of Mowasalat (Karwa), said: "We are proud of our contribution to the successful delivery of transport services, which have been one of the cornerstones in the success of this exceptional edition of the tournament. We are pleased to see the rewards of thorough planning and analysis of fleet capabilities through test runs and the provision of transport services to a number of international tournaments, that were considered mini editions of the World Cup.”
For Mowasalat, the gain from Qatar 2022 is a legacy of expertise and readiness to provide transportation services for any future events hosted by Qatare.The tournament has also served as a catalyst for the electrification of the public transport fleet, and the broad acceptance of shared transport. Mowasalat (Karwa) has proven to be a determining pillar on the way to a connected, greener Qatar.