45 more taxi pick up points planned
Published on Aug 6th, 2009 by internetcont in Press with
DOHA: Mowasalat, Qatar’s public transport provider, plans to increase the number of points where taxis pick up customers in the city to 60. There are currently only 15 taxi stands in Doha.
Mowasalat officials during a press conference in Doha
The bus system has grown, with the number increasing from 20 buses in 2005 to 260 at the beginning of the year. “We are now covering 37 routes over the whole country,” said Ahmed Al Ansari, Business Development Director of Mowasalat.
Jassim Al Sulaiti, Chairman of Mowasalat, said that the company’s green policy is still at its evaluation stage. The 200 gas- and 5 electric-powered cars and buses, custom-made for Mowasalat, are being put through their paces before the company decides to invest further in them. Research is still needed to adapt the vehicles according to the harsh Qatari weather conditions. He also noted that whilst the company grows, customers need to remain patient.
Al Ansari added: “We are gradually replacing taxis in use for three years, and there will be a public auction of these during Ramadan, to maintain customer comfort and modernity of fleet.”
In a press conference yesterday, attended by several high-ranking Mowasalat officials, including Jassim Al Sulaiti, Chairman of Mowasalat, Ahmed Al Ansari, Business Development Director, and Ali Behzad, Administrative and Training Manager, the company announced its plans.
Mowasalat also announced that it will host an upcoming conference on public transport. The three-day, biannual conference, ‘Public Transport in the MENA Region: Turning Ideas into Reality’ is due to start on October 25 at Doha’s Grand Hyatt Hotel. The second International Association of Public Transport (UITP) Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Congress and Showcase will be a continuation of the first conference held in Dubai, and will host approximately 700 participants from across the region. It will focus on issues including present challenges facing public transport, policies and methods of organisation, and rail systems and metro links. Companies will also be involved to learn more about communication systems, traffic systems and the like.
“We have also invited experts from Europe, to bring international methods and more established examples of transport systems from which the MENA region can learn,” commented Al Ansari.
“The conference will highlight whatever developments and problems faced by the member countries, how to solve them, and for those who have had successful experiences to give presentations.”
