Disposable cards on buses by Ramadan: Mowasalat

Friday, 29 June 2012

DOHA: Mowasalat will introduce pre-paid disposable cards for bus passengers by Ramadan, a senior official of the company said yesterday.

The disposable cards will be available in different denominations starting from QR10. With the launch of the new cards, the "no card fee" of QR10 charged for those not holding a Karwa smart card is expected to be abolished.

Those who don't hold a Karwa smart card will be a required to buy a disposable card as they get into the bus to make a single trip. However, the card will give them an additional credit worth its price.

There will be cards with 24 hours validity as well as with unlimited validity.

Jassim Al Sulaiti, chairman and managing director of Mowasalat said the company has an ambitious plan to introduce 500 public buses that will operate with the environment friendly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

The company recently signed an agreement with Qatar Petroleum to conduct a joint study on the feasibility of using CNG to fuel public buses in Qatar.

"Our aim is to set an example in the region in developing an eco friendly public transport system. But this is not an easy task. Using CNG as a fuel will require special filling stations, specially designed buses, among other requirements," said Al Sulaiti, addressing a press conference yesterday.

Under the agreement, QP and Mowasalat will study and develop the required infrastructure related to the handling and logistics of CNG to allow the deployment of CNG fuelled buses together with the CNG storage, dispensing and support facilities necessary for operation.

There will be a pilot project to observe to fuel's performance in a fleet of specially equipped buses.

Al Sulaiti said the company is preparing to launch a new fleet of highly sophisticated school buses for Independent Schools in Qatar.

"We can boast of having the best school buses in the region. We will soon introduce a new fleet of school buses that will have features unique not only in the Middle East but also the world over," said Al Sulaiti.

These buses will be professionally designed for children's safety meeting all "school bus safety technical conditions" and requirements.

The company operate 1,490 buses catering to more than 200 independent schools in Qatar and transporting nearly 45,000 students daily.

The Karwa school buses ensures the safety of the passengers and the driver.

They are provided with two and three point mounting seatbelts on all seats on various models..

There is a reverse camera to view the rear images while reversing.

There are a fire extinguisher mounted close to the driver seat and an automatic extinguisher system in the engine compartment which is automatically activated when the room temperature rises to extreme levels, with an alarm and a signal on the instrument panel to alert the driver.

There are emergency exits, including two roof exits at both the front and rear ends for the evacuation of passengers in emergencies.

A First Aid kit and a safety hammer to break the glass windows are also provided at accessible locations for safety.