There was a time when living in Doha without a car might sound like restrictive, inconvenient and expensive. It is altogether an old story, as more and more people now prefer to live without a car, thanks to the wise Qatari leadership for providing the residents with the most advanced and highly connected public transport system.
Qatar’s efforts to transform the transport system, which was skewed in favour of private car usage, have been extensively fruitful as the residents of Qatar now have the most affordable, easier and luxurious transport of Doha Metro and also the extensive bus network of Karwa. Qatar’s public transportation now covers the nook and corner of the country and residents now can rely on it for all sorts of travelling needs irrespective of destinations.
In a shorter period, Doha Metro has become the most preferred choice for thousands. It is evident in the over 333,000 passengers who had used Doha Metro network on this year’s Qatar National Day. Crowded trains during weekends and holidays truly reflect its popularity.
The efforts of the Ministry of Transport and Communications to make the public transportation system popular deserve huge round of applause. The Qatar Public Transport Programme is one among the several initiatives by the Ministry in this regard. The programme is being implemented by the Technical Affairs Department and is committed to delivering an overhaul of current bus services and will fully integrate it with other multi-model transport systems planned for Qatar, thus supporting national economic and social development and providing seamless travel experience and in turn realising the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Qatar has fully made use of its impressive bus network by linking it with Doha Metro. After the launch of the preview service of Red, Gold and Green Lines, travel has become cheaper and easier. Now all the major tourist spots, shopping destinations and public parks in Doha can be reached by using Doha Metro network. Residents now spend less money and time for their journeys. Metro Link services are also available to take commuters free of cost from different places to Metro stations.
This is not all, the upcoming Integrated Automated Fare Collection and Ticketing System for public transportation, which is expected to be completed and operational by 2020, will definitely boost the transport system further. It includes unified fare collection and ticketing system, which will allow public transit users to use a single ticket for all means of transport such as Metro, Lusail Rail Transit system, buses, taxis, and marine transport.
When Qatar hosts the FIFA World Cup in 2022, the advanced public transportation system will definitely enthrall the millions of visitors and the world will definitely appreciate the nation on its ever-growing public transport system as well.
