25 May 2015
The Spanish transport engineering and consultancy firm, Ineco, will be working with the Oman National Transport Company (ONTC) for the next 52 weeks on developing the Public Transport Master Plan (PTMP). Speaking to the Observer, an Ineco official said that we are building a system from the scratch, which in the initial phase will include development of an efficient bus networks and stations. "Omani authorities are handling it in an intelligent way by focusing on one company. We can now work with one team and it will be very successful and done within a time frame," he said.
An agreement was also signed yesterday to develop a strategic plan for a public transport system for the rest of Oman at a cost of over RO 6,250 million. Ahmed bin Ali al Balushi, CEO, ONTC, said the new study will focus on developing inter-city bus services and also a public transport within other cities like Sohar and Salalah. The focus will be on having dedicated bus routes and modern bus stations that will suit Oman's climate conditions. Salim bin Mohammed al Nuaimi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications for Transport and Chairman of ONTC Board of Directors, signed the agreement.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands-based VDL Company will deliver 40 low-floor with advanced features to ONTC between October 15 and November 15, as part of the efforts to spruce the public transport sector in Muscat.
Giving details, Remi Henkemans, marketing director, said the buses will have a seating capacity for 42 people and will include special facilities, including ramps for the disabled. An agreement in this regard was signed in Muscat with the ONTC.
He said the current order is for only 40 buses, but hoped it will be increased to meet the increasing demand for an efficient public transport in the years to come. The buses will be delivered in two batches and maintenance and repairs will be handled through a different contract by the VDL's Omani partner First Vehicle. VDL currently has around 500 buses put in service by Dubai's Road Transport Authority.
He added that the buses will make a big difference to Oman's public transport system due to their safety features and the capability to carry more passengers. Al Balushi said that these buses will be manufactured to comply with certain specifications laid out in the country. He said that the buses that meet these norms are not available in the country and the manufacturing processes will not take less six months. He added the company is currently working on a new system, under which these new services will be operated, before these buses are shipped to Oman. VDL buses will be fitted with vehicle tracking devices and automated ticketing systems in coordination with the authorities concerned of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Muscat Municipality and the Royal Oman Police.
Al Balushi said the new buses will mainly operate within the Muscat area, primarily on the Sultan Qaboos Road. More details on routes and training programmes for the staff will be announced later, he added.
The Spanish transport engineering and consultancy firm, Ineco, will be working with the Oman National Transport Company (ONTC) for the next 52 weeks on developing the Public Transport Master Plan (PTMP). Speaking to the Observer, an Ineco official said that we are building a system from the scratch, which in the initial phase will include development of an efficient bus networks and stations. "Omani authorities are handling it in an intelligent way by focusing on one company. We can now work with one team and it will be very successful and done within a time frame," he said.
An agreement was also signed yesterday to develop a strategic plan for a public transport system for the rest of Oman at a cost of over RO 6,250 million. Ahmed bin Ali al Balushi, CEO, ONTC, said the new study will focus on developing inter-city bus services and also a public transport within other cities like Sohar and Salalah. The focus will be on having dedicated bus routes and modern bus stations that will suit Oman's climate conditions. Salim bin Mohammed al Nuaimi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications for Transport and Chairman of ONTC Board of Directors, signed the agreement.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands-based VDL Company will deliver 40 low-floor with advanced features to ONTC between October 15 and November 15, as part of the efforts to spruce the public transport sector in Muscat.
Giving details, Remi Henkemans, marketing director, said the buses will have a seating capacity for 42 people and will include special facilities, including ramps for the disabled. An agreement in this regard was signed in Muscat with the ONTC.
He said the current order is for only 40 buses, but hoped it will be increased to meet the increasing demand for an efficient public transport in the years to come. The buses will be delivered in two batches and maintenance and repairs will be handled through a different contract by the VDL's Omani partner First Vehicle. VDL currently has around 500 buses put in service by Dubai's Road Transport Authority.
He added that the buses will make a big difference to Oman's public transport system due to their safety features and the capability to carry more passengers. Al Balushi said that these buses will be manufactured to comply with certain specifications laid out in the country. He said that the buses that meet these norms are not available in the country and the manufacturing processes will not take less six months. He added the company is currently working on a new system, under which these new services will be operated, before these buses are shipped to Oman. VDL buses will be fitted with vehicle tracking devices and automated ticketing systems in coordination with the authorities concerned of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Muscat Municipality and the Royal Oman Police.
Al Balushi said the new buses will mainly operate within the Muscat area, primarily on the Sultan Qaboos Road. More details on routes and training programmes for the staff will be announced later, he added.
© Oman Daily Observer 2015
