DOHA: To ease traffic congestion, the Ministry of Transport yesterday announced extension of the West Bay shuttle bus service to cover a wider area.
The extended route includes buildings of Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and the Ministry of Justice.
Khalid Al Hail, CEO, Mowasalat, said the company is expanding the blue route of the West Bay buses to include the buildings of Asghal and the Ministry of Justice and link them to the parking spaces of Q-Post.
The initiative is launched under the auspices of the Ministry of Transport to mitigate traffic congestions in the West Bay area and provide additional parking spaces for employees, visitors and the general public.
The Ministry of Transport and public transport bus operator Mowasalat (Karwa) have extended and redesigned the route of the West Bay bus service in response to public requests and stakeholders’ consultations. Buses are operated on two routes: A blue route and a red one. The blue route starts from Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex and passes by International Convention Centre, Al Dafna Towers, the Ministry of Justice, Ashghal, Sheraton Doha Hotel and the hotels’ area to arrive at City Centre and then returns to Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex.
The red route starts at Q-Post to link the hotels area and the ministerial buildings opposite City Centre to arrive again at the parking spaces of Q-Post.
According to Mohammed Jassim Al Dossari, a representative of the Ministry of Transport, a shift from private cars to public transport is always challenging in car-dominated societies.
The Ministry of Transport aims at making public transport more efficient and reliable to make it attractive for use, he said, adding that due to number of temporary traffic diversions and lack of parking spaces, the West Bay bus service offers a sustainable solution for residents and visitors.
Kristine Fernandez, Director, Technical Affairs Department, said the Ministry of Transport is working towards implementation of the recently completed Interim Bus Action Plan to improve public bus services and infrastructure before the opening of the Metro and to promote sustainable transport in Qatar.
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