The MoT said that Public Bus Infrastructure Programme is among the world’s most eco-friendly programmes.
Doha: On the eve of World Environment Day which was marked yesterday across the globe, the Ministry of Transport highlighted Qatar’s efforts and achievements in moving towards eco-friendly public transport system.
“MoT has made great progress delivering eco-friendly, sustainable transportation plans and continues cooperating with relevant entities to implement the strategy of switching to electric vehicles to transform public buses to electric energy by 2030,” the Ministry said in a tweet.
The Ministry further said that Public Bus Infrastructure Programme is among world’s most eco-friendly, laying foundation for full switch to a transportation system run by clean, eco-friendly electric energy instead of the conventional fuel to serve Qatar’s sustainable development.
Sila recently tweeted about environment-friendly public transport system in Qatar. “Qatar’s public transport continues towards a sustainable and fully-electrified future, with a new fleet of hybrid electric eco-taxis set to be in operation. This environment-friendly fleet will help improve air quality and reduce the country’s carbon footprint, as each vehicle will save approximately 12,000kg of CO2 compared to fuel-driven taxis.”
Sila is the brand that brings together Qatar’s transport modes into one network. Currently, it includes the metro, bus, tram and taxi.
Mowasalat (Karwa) recently announced that it is replacing all Karwa city taxis with hybrid electric eco-taxis. The vehicles use a self-charging ‘Hybrid Electric System’ that runs on a mix of highly efficient low emission gasoline and electric motor. When starting up, stopping, or moving at slow speed, the vehicle is run entirely on electric power. Decelerating or breaking turns kinetic energy from the wheels into electricity, to be stored in the car battery.
In April this year, Hamad Port also received 130 electric buses. The fleet of e-buses will be fully operated by Mowasalat (Karwa) and embedded in the country’s public transit system, thus creating a lasting legacy of clean-energy mass transit after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The first phase of the project to set up 2,600 bus stops is expected to be complete by October 2022, according to the public transit operation plan during and after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. These projects are part of the Public Bus Infrastructure Programme the Ministry is developing in cooperation with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal).
Mowasalat (Karwa) will fully operate eight bus stations equipped with electric charging equipment in Al Sudan, the Industrial Area, Al Wakra, the Education City, Lusail, Gharrafa and Msheireb. The West Bay Central Bus Station will start operation in November 2022.
Karwa has already begun electrifying public transit routes. Currently, Route 76 is already in full operation. Moreover, all alternative transportation services for the Gold Line and Red Line of Doha Metro were run with electric buses. In 2023 and beyond, electric buses will be used on 44 metrolink routes and 48 public transit routes.
