Contrary to perceptions, more Omanis are using public transportation, particularly bus services, which is significant as the country strives to achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2050.
According to Mwasalat’s latest statistics, nearly 37 per cent of bus passengers are Omanis, and in Q1 of 2023, more than 850,000 passengers used Mwasalat buses, a significant increase from 635,000 during the same period last year.
With over two million vehicles on Oman's roads, representing almost half of the country's population, reducing carbon emissions from the transport sector is critical.
Speaking to the Observer, an Omani bus traveller said, "Better frequencies and park and hop facilities, especially for airport travellers, will make a difference from the public transportation provider."
According to sources, the expansion of public transport is essential if the Sultanate of Oman has to join the fight against pollution, climate change, global warming, and rising sea levels.
Currently, around two million vehicles use Oman roads, which is marginally less than half of the country's population.
According to the official estimates, the transport sector emits 15.9 MT of carbon each year or 18 per cent of Oman’s emissions in 2021. Passenger cars make up 60 per cent of this total (1.3 million cars account for 87 per cent of the transport fleet).
Emissions are expected to grow by 41 per cent by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario, driven by population growth.
The pathway to net zero involves the full electrification of light vehicles and short-distance heavy vehicles and a transition to hydrogen fuel cells for long-distance heavy vehicles, and behavioural changes, such as increased use of public transit and carpooling.
The pathway to net zero involves full electrification of light vehicles and short-distance heavy vehicles and a transition to hydrogen fuel cells for long-distance heavy vehicles.
Behavioural changes such as increased use of public transit and car-pooling are expected to reduce car usage resulting in 10 per cent lower emissions.
The uptake of battery electric vehicles (2023-30) and fuel-cell electric vehicles (2035) is expected to rise when their cost matches that of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
While policy changes and infrastructure investments are needed for the full penetration of electric vehicles and fuel-cell electric vehicles by 2050, government fleets are expected to lead the transition by adopting these technologies early.
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