DOHA - The Public Transport Company (Mowasalat) has increased the number of buses plying from the Al Ghanim bus station from 135 to 200 on Fridays. The number is expected to remain constant to cope with the heavy rush over the Eid holidays.
Mike Spicer, who is in charge of the main bus station, told Al Sharq that the increase in the number of buses is to accommodate the large number of passengers who are now coming to the Souq area for their Eid shopping. "We operate on 35 different routes from here," said Spicer.
The official said that Ramadan is also a month when there is a heavy demand for bus services. "Our only break in service during operating hours is when drivers are replaced." he said.
Mowasalat carries 60,000 passengers a day on weekdays but the number surges to 100,000 on holidays.
Speaking on the 'Faresaver' smart card issued by Mowasalat, Spicer stated that 360 passengers had registered on the first day of its availability and this month, that number has increased by 273 customers.
© The Peninsula 2007
