News | Ministry of Transport

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Ministry Unveils its Integrated Automated Fare Collection, Ticketing System

Doha – QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications unveiled its Integrated Automated Fare Collection and Ticketing System for public transportation by signing the project contract today with Gulf Business Machines Qatar (GBM) in partnership with MSI Global of Singapore.Planned to complete and begin operation in 2020, the new system provides a unified ticketing mechanism for public transport within Qatar’s internal transportation network, latest credit card payment technologies in addition to payment via smartphones and smartwatches.The project aims to improve Qatar’s transportation system functionality, achieve integration and encourage people to use public transport more frequently by providing a more flexible and seamless system.It also aims to achieve a set of environmental goals by helping in reducing emissions that result from high use of private vehicles. Additionally, it aims to apply the country’s transportation systems integration plans through deploying world’s latest technologies and best standards.Moreover, the new system is hoped to lower traffic-related problems by easing pressure on road networks. It would also help increase traffic safety, achieve the economic goals associated with the efficiency of mobility, transportation and logistics services.The contract was signed by MOTC’s Assistant Undersecretary of Land Transport Affairs Mr. Rashid Taleb Al Nabet and GBM Qatar Board Chairman Mr. Badr Omar Al Mana.On this occasion, HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti said that the project comes within the Ministry’s efforts to further improve the performance and integration of the country’s transportation system to achieve the economic objectives associated with transportation efficiency and effectiveness. He said it would also encourage the public to use this well-equipped and modern public transit easily and smoothly, within a framework of collaboration between Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) and Mowasalat “Karwa.” This, he added, would help in the integration of all current and future land and marine transport networks.The Ministry by establishing this new system contributes to enforcing state policies on boosting the domestic private sector’s role and ingraining the principle of competitiveness on national economy, HE the Minister noted.The project, he added, aims for the optimal use of computer technologies, advanced communications systems and smart e-payment systems that mirror latest developments in mobility and transportation industry. This is one of the smart projects that help streamline procedures through reducing time and effort consumed.He also said that the Ministry is making serious efforts on several fronts to develop transportation services and did complete several key strategic studies and projects for further developing Qatar’s land transport industry.This is aimed at providing best applicable solutions and facilitations so as to put in place a modern, safe, integrated and environment-friendly transportation system in line with Qatar’s National Development Strategy 2018-2022 and Qatar National Vision 2030, HE the Minister said.The structure of the new project has multiple components for a unified fare collection and ticketing system, including ticketing, ticket vending machines, standalone validators and central clearinghouse.Mr. Al Nabet said that the public would use the new system very easily on all needs related to public transportation such as the metro, the Lusail Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, buses, taxis and marine transport.He added that improving mobility and comfort for people, increasing traffic safety, reducing energy consumption, limiting impact on the environment and increasing productivity are some of the new system’s top features.The project aims to achieve a paradigm shift in terms of public transit performance by founding an integrated, multimodal clearinghouse system in line with best world standards in addition to raising the efficiency of the land transport network in general, he added.There are numerous advantages for public transit users who will be able to use a single ticket for all means of transport and the tickets will be easy to buy and recharge, let alone the flexibility and comfort when using public transit, parking lots and sports stadiums, he added.For public transit operators, he said, the new system is helping reduce costs associated with ticketing systems, machines and maintenance and provide continued supply of data; which would help monitor the curve of demand, draw and apply best operational plans, improve the network, update prices and guarantee a safe e-payment.The system also allows the state to supervise the operation of public transit services with full flexibility and transparency, he said. It also helps increase mobility and transportation policies effectiveness, in addition to the security dimension through the availability of information on operators and users let alone the availability of basic information sources needed for informed planning and enhanced integration in the future for road and transportation networks.

Monday, March 11, 2019

Minister Meets with Switzerland Ambassador

Doha – QatarHE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti held talks here today with HE the Ambassador of Switzerland Mr. Edgar Doerig.The two officials discussed cooperation relations between the two friendly countries in the fields of transport and communications and means of further enhancing them.

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Ministry Hosts Govt Entities at Microsoft Framework Agreement Workshop

Doha - QatarThe Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) has recently hosted more than 200 IT specialists from various government entities at an interactive workshop that covered the mechanisms and tools that are available in MOTC’s Microsoft Framework Agreement for assessing to what extent the best practices for the information security of Microsoft software and platforms are followed in work environments.Aiming at further improving how government entities function digitally, MOTC wants to make the most out of all its framework agreements with major universal technology corporations such as the one signed with Microsoft.The workshop discussed the outcomes of an assessment MOTC has conducted in association with Microsoft over the past few months at more than 30 ministries and government entities. It also covered how to address and avoid information security threats through enabling Microsoft security controls and features.Workshop attendees were also updated on the fast-paced world of sophisticated information system threats, attacks and data breaches and how to detect and recover proactively.“Engaging the private sector in enhancing supply chain security is highly important as part of Qatar’s efforts to raise government entities’ information security efficiency. MOTC, through its framework agreements with major global technology companies, deploys the latest technologies and technical services to make the most out of world’s advanced software. It also provides training and awareness campaigns to technical specialists working at government entities to raise their information security expertise,” said Mr. Eng. Khalid Al-Hashmi, Assistant Undersecretary of Cyber Security at MOTC.The workshop said government entities covered in MOTC’s Microsoft Framework Agreement are increasingly following an approach focused on regular upgrading and updating of the Microsoft technologies they use – an approach MOTC launched last March. It also said those entities were using the modern technologies the Agreement provides in their day-to-day functions, particularly cloud computing, document save and track and multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Monday, March 4, 2019

Qatar-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement Initialed

Brussels, BelgiumThe State of Qatar and the EU initialed a Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels today. HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti and HE European Commission Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness Mr. Jyrki Katainen witnessed the signing event.The first of its kind ever between the EU and a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member state, the agreement allows for open airspace between Qatar and all the EU member states with unlimited access to their respective territories, in addition to daily shipment flights between the two sides.The agreement was initialed by Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Chairman HE Mr. Abdulla bin Nasser Turki Al Subaey and the Head of Unit, International Transport Affairs, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, Mr. Carlos Acosta. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive HE Mr. Akbar Al Baker and HE Qatari Ambassador to Belgium Mr. Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi were in attendance.“This agreement, which reflects the EU’s trust in Qatar’s potentials, will allow for the liberalization of the fundamental mobility rights between Qatar and EU markets - one of the oldest and largest in the world in the realm of air transport,” said HE the Minister.“This will contribute to increasing the mobility, tourism and trade exchange between Doha and EU capital cities, widening the partnership with EU countries and developing our national carrier’s network, thus supporting economic growth across all sectors,” he added.“This agreement,” he noted, “is a completion to the pivotal role the State of Qatar has been playing in developing the global air transport industry and also boosts Qatar’s ranking as one of the leading countries in the region in air transport.”“The agreement also recognizes the key role our civil aviation bodies play and their compliance with global standards as well as the role of Qatar Airways, which is widely recognized as one of the best carriers in the world and the best in terms of efficiency and quality, while consistently reporting the highest growth rates regionally and universally.”HE the Minister thanked Mr. Al Subaey and Mr. Al Baker for their crucial roles and efforts to conclude the agreement and to all contributors from the EU.Mr. Al Baker said; “This historic landmark agreement will offer a host of opportunities for airlines in Europe and Qatar to collaborate and cooperate together, ensuring fair access to markets, competing for market share based on products and services that the customer wants and is willing to purchase.”Mr. Al Subaey noted the significant role the agreement would play in opening up future horizons for broader cooperation between Qatar and the EU member states, as well as boosting their bilateral relations.With this agreement in place, he said, Qatar could upgrade its mobility rights and increase its cooperation with the EU member states in all aviation aspects.He said the agreement was a historic event, particularly under the unjust blockade on Qatar and confirmed that the country is continuing to meet ever more ambitious targets in the aviation industry, which is one of the country’s most active economic sectors.“This event comes in the context of the significant development Qatar’s air transport industry has been witnessing. It also fits in our plan for exploring more new opportunities to enable our national carrier to reach as many destinations as it can around the world. In addition, it enables Qatar Airways to boost its operational processes; something which helps widen Qatar-EU cooperation and secure a common ground for airlines from both parties to explore and find new gateways for broader cooperation and coordination.”This Qatar-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement provides a new level of competition for carriers in Europe and Qatar. Both parties are expected to take bold steps through agreeing upon the terms and conditions relating to fair competition, the environment, consumer protection, social aspects and transparency, in addition to an item relating to doing business under which Qatar will no longer force European carriers to have a local sales agent to be able to operate flights to Doha.The agreement was initialed following a series of consultative meetings and full-scale discussions that covered the agreement’s terms and conditions and all particulars to conclude a final version. The parties also discussed matters relating to air safety, aviation and navigation security and environment.News about concluding this agreement was officially announced during the Feb. 5-6, 2019 CAPA Qatar Aviation, Aeropolitical and Regulatory Summit in Doha.

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Announcement

Effective 1st March 2019, QTerminals is pleased to announce that it will offer incentives to the main shipping lines that have direct services calling at Hamad Port and do not transship within a range of 250 Nm from Hamad Port.

Monday, February 25, 2019

HE Minister inaugurated Mada strategy 2019-2021 under the slogan “Digital Access for All”

Doha-QatarHE Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti Minister of Transport and Communications, inaugurated Mada strategy 2019-2021 under the slogan “Digital Access for All”. On the sidelines of the launch ceremony, the Minister said that the digital access rate in the State of Qatar reached 94 percent, one of the highest access rates for government agencies that deal with essential services for citizens in the world.He added that Qatar was one of the first countries to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008 and since that time, Qatar has taken a number of measures in its ongoing efforts to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities and their full integration into society.The Minister pointed out the achievements of Mada Center in the field of digital access, which contributed to Qatar being ranked fifth in the world in DARE Index, which reflects the high level of commitment of the State of Qatar to the rights of persons with disabilities and digital access.The main objective of this strategy to enable equal opportunities, ensure a comprehensive education system at all levels and continuous learning through ICT, and as for the culture and society sector the 2019-2021 strategy aims to enable an equal basis for persons with disabilities to participate in cultural life through ICT, and to provide opportunities for persons with disabilities to show their creative, artistic and intellectual potential.