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Tribune News Network
Doha
UNDER the guidance of Ministry of Transport and Communications, additional routes, changes in existing routes, reduced waiting time with increased frequency have been achieved in the public bus network operated by Mowasalat-Karwa, according to a Mowasalat press release on Monday.
It is expected that this will significantly enhance the bus network services with more access, reliability with the objective to increase ridership and encourage public bus usage.
New routes have been introduced and few of the key routes modified, especially those related to commuting in West Bay area and Hamad International Airport (HIA) in facilitating arriving passengers to choose their own mode of transportation and encouraged to use public bus as an economical option to commute.
Many of the HIA routes are modified. Route 747 from HIA to Doha Bus Station (DBS) was modified to cover major hotels around the main bus station, the Corniche and Salata area. Route 737 from HIA to Karwa Bus station (KBS) now covers Barwa City, Religious complex and Mesaimeer Health Center. Also, route 777 from HIA to City Center is now extended to 'The Pearl' covering the Lagoona Mall, and a new route 727 has been introduced from HIA to Al Khor via Al Shamal Road.
Routes 74 & 75 (West Bay route shuttle service) are modified to improve passenger connectivity to key locations, reduce travel and waiting time, based on the performance analysis and feedback from the public. Route 74 operating in West Bay as single route will now operate in two routes, which will cover ministries, offices, all major hotels and some of the embassies in West Bay area. Routes 302 & 303 services which were operating in Ain Khalid and Abu Hamour have been terminated, but routes 20, 21 & 22 cover part of these terminated areas.
In addition, during Ramadan the following route services were extended until 12am - 11, 12, 21, 31, 33, 34, 43, 55, 56 and 76. Also, routes 20, 31, 41, 119, 301 and 304 were extended until 11pm.
"In order to meet with the demand and to provide smooth commuting during Eid Al-Fitr holidays, our bus services will operate up to 1am. Two new ticket vending machines - one each at DBS and KBS are set up for the convenience of bus passengers to access Karwa smartcard purchase/top up any time," the press release stated.
Mowasalat is working very closely with the Ministry of Transport and Communications to expand public bus network in full consideration with infrastructure changes and rail network planned to execute the National Transport Master plan and give various choices of mode of transport to the country's residents and visitors, it further stated.
The company is also preparing to provide smart transportation solutions for transiting in Qatar, in compliance with smart city plans and deliverables.
On the occasion of Holy Month of Ramadan, Mowasalat Company had also undertaken several initiatives as corporate social responsibility and value addition to existing services and serve customers. The company mobilised its staff and resources to reach out to for sale/top-up of Karwa smartcard at some of key workers' accommodation in Industrial Area and Al Khor mall giving away attractive gifts. Inside the company, as motivation for employees, a suhour dinner event was organised for the admin staff.
Mowasalat's public buses and taxi services in Qatar will continue to meet the highest levels of customer services, as per the feedback and ridership requirements of passengers and continues to be the first choice provider of transportation with increased accessibility and availability.
Mowasalat-Karwa is currently operating 4,200 taxis which include taxis from the four franchise operators. There is a tender for fifth franchise operator.
The public transport company's counter at the HIA arrival area, located near duty free shop is open 24X7 - catering to arriving passengers and guests to the country, for all their transportation requirements, the press release stated.
