Minister Inspects Construction Works of Public Bus Infrastructure Projects
Doha – Qatar(March 7, 2021) Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti today conducted an inspection tour of the ongoing projects of the Public Bus Infrastructure Program that MOTC is carrying out in collaboration with Public Works Authority (Ashghal).The Minister inspected work progress on the program’s fifth package in which 4 bus depots are being established at Lusail, Al-Rayyan, Al-Wakra and New Industrial Area.The new depots will include a bus care center and bus parking spaces fully equipped with an infrastructure supportive of e-bus charging. They will also include residential and recreational facilities and mosques.The bus depot in Lusail will have parking canopies powered by highly efficient solar panels, making it the first bus depot in the region to rely on solar energy as a renewable source of clean energy. The solar panels – totaling 10,720 units to generate four megawatts per day - plus the power station as a conventional source of energy, will provide the necessary energy for operating electric charging devices and the whole project at large, in line with highest standards and specifications.The Lusail bus depot will also include 217 150kilowatt dual bus charging devices and five 300kilowatt fast bus electric charging devices. It will also include 474 bus parking spaces. Works to establish the bus parking spaces and solar panel canopies are scheduled to complete in Q4 of 2021. The bus depot in Lusail is expected to complete in Q1 of 2022.In addition to bus depots, the Program also includes the Park and Ride parking spaces, bus stations and ferry (water taxi) terminals.“Park and Ride”Work to establish 4 new sites under the “Park and Ride” project has been wrapped up, as part of the first package of the Program. Two in Al Qassar and Al Wakra were inaugurated for the public in Jan. 2020. The other two in Lusail and Education City near 100% completion and are ready to open soon.Bus TerminalsWork is underway to establish 7 bus terminals within the second and third packages of the Program. Delivery nears 68% for bus terminals in Al-Sudan, Lusail, Al-Wakra, Education City and Industrial Area and would complete during Q3 of 2021.Works at bus terminals in Msheireb and Al-Gharafa are 31% complete and would be fully delivered during Q1 of 2022.Ferry TerminalsThe Program includes establishing a ferry terminal and parking spaces (water taxi) under the fourth package in Lusail, Doha Port, Hamad International Airport and the Pearl, in addition to establishing a bus terminal in the West Bay. Work is underway to award the project tender to the most qualified company during Q1 of 2021.Program ObjectivesPublic Bus Infrastructure Program aims to achieve integration with public transit systems countrywide and support transportation operations during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and beyond. It also wants to increase public transit ridership by offering high-quality service and facilities with world best technologies and specifications.Strategy of Switch to Clean EnergyThe Program reflects MOTC’s attention to implementing the strategy of switching to clean energy in transportation to reduce carbon emissions of conventional vehicles and improve overall air and climate quality in Qatar. Among key strategy objectives is supporting transit operations during FIFA 2022 to make Qatar second-to-none worldwide in using electric, eco-friendly vehicles during a FIFA championship, let alone integration with other public transit systems.
