The growing numbers of passengers has strengthened the need for more public transport buses. A view of the crowds at Doha Bus Station.
By Ramesh Mathew
Staff Reporter
Bus passengers, mainly low-income workers or those with limited income, have bemoaned the poor connectivity of the buses, especially within Doha city, which is resulting in extra expenditure and a waste of time.
They have also sought the authorities' intervention to operate new services through some of the new roads that have opened recently.
Speaking to Gulf Times, regular passengers said it is high time `effective and proper' circular buses are operated on some routes.
Many of them feel that even though the country's bus services would be completing a decade later this year, they have to rely on more than one bus to reach their destination. For instance, a passenger has to travel to the Doha Bus Station first to catch another bus to their destination.
Even though a vital connectivity has been established from the city's eastern side with Abu Hamour and Mesaimeer areas with the opening of the F-Ring Road and its connection through Najma Street from Al-Thumama, a bus service is yet to be launched on this stretch, which has eased traffic congestion on the neighbouring roads connecting the two regions.
Though it is true that the F-Ring Road is not yet fully complete, there is already good traffic movement between the city's eastern areas and places in Mesaimeer and Abu Hamour such as the Religious Complex, Barwa City and the Industrial Area. Similarly, the connection towards Wakrah from Al-Thumama intersection is also expected to be ready shortly.
Many passengers are questioning the wisdom of operating all public transport buses between the Industrial Area and Doha Bus Station through Musheireb, Jaidah Flyover, Salwa Road, Vegetable Market and its neighbourhood.
While demanding new services between the Industrial Area and the city, the passengers feel the newly laid section of the F-Ring Road and its onwards connection with Al Thumama's Najma Street and Mall Signal should be utilised for operating buses as it would save considerable time.
Similarly, there has been constant demands from bus users for circular services between the Doha Bus Station and Mesaimeer areas through Airport Road, Najma, Gulf Cinema Signal, Mall Signal, Al-Thumama Signal, Najma Street, F-Ring Road, Religious Complex Area and return through Barwa City Signal, Doha-Industrial Road, Medical Commission, Hilal, Woqod Petrol Station (Hilal), Gulf Cinema Signal and back towards the bus station through the current route of No.11.
Another area, which has not apparently attracted the attention of transport authorities is Ain Khalid, which now houses many offices such as the Ministry of Interior's (MoI) Finger Print office, utility services centre and a medical centre. Residents, in particular bachelors, have also complained about a lack of public transport buses from the area to the city. Though Ain Khalid has witnessed a lot of urban development in recent years, bus access to the area is very limited, they added.
