Hundreds ride Mwasalat buses on World Public Transport Day

MUSCAT: Hundreds of citizens and expatriates across Muscat and Salalah made use of public transport on World Public Transport Day, as Mwasalat marked the occasion on April 17 in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT).
To commemorate the day, Mwasalat offered a range of incentives, including free urban travel with unlimited bus rides across city networks in both cities.
While official ridership figures for the day are yet to be released, buses across major routes recorded steady passenger movement throughout the day, with families, women and children taking advantage of the free service to explore key city landmarks.
The initiative encouraged residents and visitors to experience public transport and highlighted its role in promoting sustainable mobility in Oman’s growing urban centres. It also aimed to raise awareness on environmental benefits, including reduced carbon emissions and improved traffic flow amid increasing private vehicle usage, particularly in Muscat.
“Many people like me have never taken the bus before,” said Alen, a European resident in Muscat. “The free day encouraged the public to leave their cars at home and see how easy it is to move around the city using public transport.”
Fatma Ansari, a homemaker, said: “The free ride for a day is a great idea. Public transport helps reduce traffic and protects the environment. I hope more people will try the buses.”
As part of the campaign, additional services were introduced, including a free electric bus operating on Route 4 between Ruwi and Al Alam Palace from 4 pm to 8 pm, free open-top sightseeing tours from Muttrah to the National Museum, and complimentary e-scooter rides at selected locations such as Muttrah Souq and Muscat Bay.
A Mwasalat official said the initiative was designed to reduce reliance on private vehicles and encourage residents to experience the convenience and reliability of public transport.
In 2025, Mwasalat transported over five million passengers across its network, with a daily average of 11,500 to 11,700 passengers. During major holidays such as Eid Al Fitr, ridership has previously surged to more than 100,000 passengers over short periods.