DOHA: The West Bay shuttle bus service has been expanded to cover more areas and turned into a paid service, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said yesterday.
A “fair price” is expected to be imposed for the service effective from April 1.The existing two routes have been combined into one to provide better service. The ministry has renewed the contract with public transport company Mowasalat to operate the service for one more year, 2016.
“The service will now cover more areas in the West Bay, providing easier mobility and lessening traffic congestion. There will be now one route in which the shuttle buses will operate from 6 am to 9 pm with a frequency of 12 minutes,” the ministry said in a statement.
“As per this converged single route, we hope to serve the passengers better by more accessibility and frequency and also reduce their travel time. The Ministry is considering making it paid service at a fair price, effective from April 1,” it added.
Both the Blue Line and the Red Line have been combined into a single route. Accordingly, the bus stops have changed and the locations have been marked.
The changes are based on feedback from users of the shuttle service and travel data. The single route is expected to reduce congestion, which in turn helps the bus to arrive as per schedule without delays, reducing the waiting time, said the ministry.
The route change allows passengers to access the bus from their required location and increase frequency from 20 minutes to 12 minutes. The service operates with a fleet of eight all new low floor buses, with total of 76 trips per day.
Passengers have been advised to continue using their Karwa smartcards while boarding in and out of the bus. Passengers can seek clarification by calling 44588650, if required.
The free shuttle bus currently operates through two lines, covering the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, The Qatar National Convention Center, Dafna Towers, Ministry of Justice, Public Works Authority, Sheraton Doha hotel, City Center shopping mall, Qatar Postal Services Company (Q-Post) and the ministerial buildings opposite of the City Center.
The Peninsula
