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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Sultanate mulls light rail system

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By Vinod Nair — MUSCAT: May 10 - The Ministry of Transport and Communications unveiled the public transport strategy for the period 2015-2025, laying greater emphasis on the expansion of bus transport in Muscat and other cities such as Suhar and Salalah. The strategy was unveiled in the presence of Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, Salim bin Mohammed al Nuaimi, Under-Secretary of the ministry, and Ahmed al Bulushi, CEO, Mwasalat.


The key takeaways from the strategy presentation include that the government support for Mwasalat will be reduced to 52 per cent from 75 per cent in 2016; a study on the future light rail transport, expansion of bus routes in Muscat, including connections to Muscat International Airport, a training centre for drivers and new Mwasalat routes for Salalah and Suhar. Speaking on the strategy, Dr Futtaisi said the strategic plan (2015-2025) comes as the part of the efforts to develop a vast network of public transport serving all citizens, residents and visitors. The strategy is aimed at developing public transportation in a sustainable manner beginning with Muscat and then moving to other governorates.


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The strategy will be developed in two stages — the first phase of two to three years will focus on the bus network, organisation of taxis and establishment of a regulatory body for the sector. A study on construction of a light train system will be also initiated during this period. The second phase (three to seven years) will continue with the introduction of more buses and the development of bus stations. Dr Al Futaisi said the strategy was presented to the Council of Ministers and approved by the relevant authorities for immediate implementation. The ministry is in the process of setting up a regulatory transport authority, whose functions include organisation of public transport sector through proposed laws and regulations.

It will identify trunk and feeder routes, spots for bus stations on the roads, grant licences to operators, establish terms and conditions to monitor their performance, and cooperate with regional and international public transport organisations. On the details of the first phase, Salim bin Mohammed al Nuaimi, Under-Secretary, said, “Mwasalat has began the process of developing the public transport following the launch of a new brand identity in 2015. Four new routes were added in Muscat and over 3.7 million passengers used the services in 2016 at the rate of over 10,000 passengers a day. Mwasalast will have 177 new buses during the period (2016-2018), including 12 new routes in Muscat and four inter-city transport lines.


Five city routes will be opened in Suhar and Salalah, as well as the development of the cargo system, revenues through advertisements, AC bus stops and implementation of new technological features. In the second phase (2019-2025), 173 new buses will be purchased and three new lines will be operated within Muscat Governorate. Al Nuaimi said that the activation of public transport service will generate 1,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs in the public transport sector in the coming five years.


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