DOHA: Two hybrid buses will join the free shuttle service being offered by Mowasalat for the public on the Qatar National Day. They are part of the first batch of hybrid buses that the company is introducing in Qatar.
These eco-friendly buses, powered by a mix of an ordinary diesel engine and an electric motor, produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions, harmful pollutants and lower noise levels. Mowasalat will deploy about a dozen buses around the Corniche on the National Day to transport people to venues where the day's events will take place.
"We have just got the two hybrid buses and the registration procedures are currently underway. These buses will be used to transport women and families on the National Day," Ahmed Al Ansari, business development director of Mowasalat said.
He said more such buses would join the Mowasalat fleet soon.
"We are introducing these buses on a trial basis. We will decide our future plans based on the outcome of this experiment," added Al Ansari. The new buses are built with the hybrid technology of Eaton, the US. The batteries fitted derive their power from the diesel fuel and hence require no external charging station.
About 50 taxis and buses decorated with National Day insignia are currently on the roads as part of Mowasalat's plans to celebrate the occasion in a big way.
Some 300 Karwa school buses have started distributing gift packets to students containing Qatari flags, stickers and other National Day symbols.
© The Peninsula 2010
