Doha residents call for smaller buses

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Residents have sought smaller buses or vans between different key locations in the city and West Bay.

Many residents feel this would help prevent congestion and also prove economical as larger buses are often seen plying half-empty. Commuters had earlier sought the introduction of such smaller buses on routes that cover busy areas in the city.

Residents also point out that smaller buses could be operated as part of the West Bay circular service to help make it more popular among commuters.

Non-stop services to the West Bay area, including City Center Doha, using smaller buses or vans could be run during office hours from places such as Matar Qadeem, Al Hilal, Najma, Mansoura, Doha Jadeed, New Salata, Mamoura, Madinat Khalifa and Bin Omran, suggest residents. As of now, passengers from such localities need to catch two buses to reach the business district, they point out.

Regarding the West Bay circular service, some residents have questioned the feasibility of using large buses on the two routes - Blue Line and Red Line - as public patronage is not "too encouraging" and the buses are sometimes seen running almost empty.

The service was started on January 15 last year with the intention of reducing traffic congestion in West Bay. However, in spite of the regularity of operations between 6am and 12 midnight, it has failed to receive much acceptance among the targeted groups, specifically office-goers and visitors to West Bay.

Gulf Times has learnt from some office-goers and visitors that they avoid the West Bay circular service as it is operated through a route that is much longer than the normal one to reach their destination.

While there are apparently not too many regular users for the buses within West Bay, some residents feel if the services are run straight to the place during office hours from certain locations in the city and its immediate neighbourhood, there could be more users than what is seen at present.

"Most of the days it is next to impossible to reach offices in the West Bay area in the morning owing to severe traffic congestion along the Corniche stretch," said a motorist, explaining why he does not take a bus for his commute. He travels daily between Mansoura and the City Center Doha area.

The resident also questioned why large buses are operated though there are not too many users for a number of services.

Another office-goer felt it was high time big buses were withdrawn and replaced with small vans or buses that can carry 20-25 people. He said the large buses currently operated in the West Bay area could be diverted to other routes where there is more patronage.