First land-sea line to kick off tomorrow

The Muscat-Shinas-Khasab line, the first route connecting land and sea in Oman, will be launched on Thursday by the National Transport Company ‘Mwasalat’ and National Ferries Company (NFC). The service, which combines the use of bus and ferry for transporting both passengers and vehicles, will be provided free of cost between Muscat-Khasab and Khasab-Muscat from August 24 to 31. Musandam residents and those working in the governorate have been offered special prices. Children aged between 3 and 12 years will get a 50-per cent discount, while children below three years won’t be charged. NFC has also decided to enhance its capacity by operating the Hormuz ferry, which can carry more than 190 passengers and 40 vehicles. Tickets can be purchased at the Mwasalat offices in Athaiba, Sahwa Tower, Maabela, Suhar and at the Call and Reservation Centre at NFC and its branches. Since the number of seats are limited, people have been asked to make bookings 24 hours prior to the travel. There will be four return trips a week. On Sundays and Thursdays, there will be two trips on the Muscat-Shinas-Khasab route. While the bus will leave Muscat for Shinas at 12:15 pm, the ferry will leave Shinas for Khasab at 4:30 pm. The return trips on Khasab-Shinas-Muscat route are on Saturdays and Tuesdays. The ferry will leave Khasab for Shinas at 1 pm, while the bus will leave Shinas for Muscat at 4:50 pm. Zainab al Nassri