3.7 million transported by Mwasalat in 2016

By Staff Reporter — MUSCAT: Jan. 24 - Mwasalat transported more than 3.7 million passengers between January 1 and December 31, 2016 on all routes in Muscat and on intercity lines to the various governorates, with a rate of more than 10,000 passengers a day. On Fridays, the number would touch 16,000. The company’s statement said high rates in the number of passengers on all operating lines reflect the role of the company in raising awareness among various segments of the society, and in encouraging people to use public transport services in the Sultanate.

With regard to the total number of passengers on local routes in Muscat, Ruwi-Mabelah route tops the list with more than 1.5 million passengers, followed by Ruwi-Wadi Kabeer (800,000), Ruwi-Muttrah-Al Alam Palace (370,000), Ruwi-Aamirat (290,000), Ruwi-Wadi Adai  (265,000) and Al Khoudh-Sultan Qaboos University-Sahwa Park with 100,000 passengers. The total number of passengers on domestic routes in Muscat Governorate stood at 3,453,645. Regarding the intercity lines to the various governorates of Oman and to the Emirate of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the company transported 277,039 passengers.

Regarding proportion of Omani citizens to the total number of passengers, Mwasalat conducted a survey from December 1, 2016 to January 8, 2017. The highest percentage of Omani passengers has reached 45 on  Ruwi-Mabelah route in the first week of January. The total percentage of the Omani passengers during the survey period revealed a ratio of more than 30 per cent. Mwasalat said it plans to expand its operations, run new routes and currently in talks with its partners, bus suppliers, financing options to buy 118 buses this year. Around 85 of these buses would operate on the domestic routes of Muscat and 33 on intercity lines, including the replacement of old buses used on these routes.

Mwasalat also seeks to reduce the current government support by the continuing expansion of its operations and the creation of partnerships with different government and private sectors, such as advertisement on the buses and new strategic agreements in the coming period. Mwasalat recently signed a number of partnerships, including a strategic partnership agreement with Omantel to provide free and unlimited WiFi network service on all buses, which will be enabled during the first quarter of this year on 57 buses in the first phase.

The company also signed another agreement with the Oman Environmental Services Holding Company  be’ah to  supply, operate and maintain buses that are equipped as a mobile exhibition to raise awareness and education, in addition to the signing of an MoU with Oman Drydock Company which appoints Mwasalat as the official carrier of all company employees with a daily one trip in each direction from Muscat to the company’s headquarters in Duqm.

With reference to the removal of government subsidies on fuel, Mwasalat stated that ticket prices will be stable at current rates, though there may be a review of prices without a significant increase in prices.

Mwasalat encourages visitors of Muscat Festival to use a secure means of transportation equipped with the best safety and comfort. In terms of supporting of renewable activities of Muscat Festival, the company has provided a direct route from Ruwi Bus Station to and from Amerat Park and another direct route Mabelah Bus Station to/from Naseem Park with an average of one trip every 20 minutes between 3:15 and 11:10 pm daily during the period of the festival. The tickets are available onboard all buses allocated to these routes.

The company said that there is a significant demand from different segments of society for the use of its buses, which is reflected in the increasing number of passengers.

Also, Mwasalat expressed its gratitude to all customers for their confidence in its services, and assured them that it will continue to provide its best throughout the next period. The company also urged everyone, especially the citizens to use public transport because of its economic, environmental and social importance.

Mwasalat will host in mid-February the Seventh Meeting of the International Association of Public Transport in the Middle East and North Africa in the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, which will discuss the major plan of public transport in the Sultanate.