Industrial Area bus commuters call for better connectivity

Commuters who often travel between Industrial Area and different parts of Doha have once again sought improvement in bus services and better connectivity. Though a number of public transport buses currently ply between Industrial Area and Doha Bus Station (DBS) and there are also circular services linking different places in Doha with Industrial Area, passengers feel significant improvement could still be made in the daily operations of buses.

They claim that some routes are operated "without any proper plan or study", and these do not serve the targeted customers effectively. "As a result, our commute between most places in Doha and Industrial Area, as well as some other places, consume a lot of time," said an aggrieved passenger. While calling for the introduction of direct services from Industrial Area to DBS from from "every fifth street" (Street 5, 10, 15, 20, etc) at 20- or 30-minute intervals, some commuters said such services could be operated through the main Doha-Industrial Area Road or through the road in front of the Karwa headquarters to reach Doha through Al Muntazah Street as well as B-Ring Road. They also point out that some of the services could be operated through Salwa Road as well.Commuters have also requested the authorities to consider operating direct services between DBS and Industrial Area through Airport Road, Najma Street and F-Ring Road or E-Ring road, both in the morning (to Industrial Area) and evening (from Industrial Area). Long commute times due to winding routes is another concern among passengers.Recently, a newly arrived expatriate said it took him almost one hour and 45 minutes to reach DBS from Street 24 one evening. "How could one rely on buses for the daily commute in such conditions? A solution is required in the near future," he said.