The Bus Transport Strategic Plan for the Sultanate of Oman will provide the country with a public transport that is modern, efficient, sustainable and equipped with smart technology. The project involves a complete overhaul of both the supply –including new urban and interurban routes– and management of this means of transport in the Sultanate, where the use of private vehicles is heavy.

Throughout these pages we are privileged to have the perspective of Ahmed Al Bulushi, who is piloting the transition towards the future of the company Mwasalat, the national bus operator of Oman. We also address other works abroad, such as that carried out with Aena Internacional at the airport in the capital of Angola –4 de Fevereiro International Airport (Luanda)– the only international airport in the country for which Ineco conducted the operational safety study. Finally, we have dedicated an extensive report to the aeronautical study conducted for the expansion of the Port of Kaohsiung in Taiwan, where the installation of high-altitude cranes may interfere with international airport operations.

Internationalisation has irrefutably been a key event in recent years, a result of the experience and knowledge acquired over the course of decades developing Spanish infrastructure. In this regard, I am pleased to announce the contract signing with the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Works and Transport for management of the Transport Infrastructure Programme (PIT). It is a new opportunity to strengthen ties with a country that Ineco has collaborated with for years, and that we wish to continue supporting in its development.

We are privileged to have the perspective of Ahmed Al Bulushi, who is piloting the transition of the company Mwasalat towards the future

With Ineco’s new showroom –described on the inner pages– we strive to reflect the know-how of Spanish construction and engineering firms and their experience and impact around the world. The new Centre for Interpretation –which I invite our clients and friends to come visit– was recently inaugurated at our central headquarters in Madrid. It is a visit that I am sure will provide great insight into the scope of our works.

Finally, we complete this space with articles from our experts on highly-specialised projects such as variable gauge facilities –a technology pioneered by Spain–, water studies to protect high-speed lines or Big Data and transport. With the publication of these studies and works we hope to contribute to the dissemination of these new technologies in addition to engaging our readers.

The years 2015 and 2016 are being very intense for the development of Mwasalat. What actions have you completed so far?

During November 2015, occurring simultaneously with the celebration of 45th year of the Renaissance of Oman, a key milestone was achieved by the company: Mwasalat unveiled a new company identity and the spinal route of Muscat public transport system was implemented, while the existing routes were renovated with brand-new and modern fleet. This was the first step of a long process that will see a substantial number of routes being implemented in Muscat during the following years. The modernization of the company has not been limited only to urban transport in Muscat, Mwasalat intercity and international services were also improved as part of this renovation process with brand-new fleet with the highest levels of quality and safety.

The new Muscat services have changed the public transport landscape in the city, what has been the people’s reaction to the new services?

People’s response to the new bus services in Muscat has been very positive. Passengers are very satisfied with the new features in the bus. The buses are low-floor, air-conditioned and equipped with cameras and informative screens. From the demand’s point of view, the launch of these initiatives can be seen as a great success since public transport demand has substantially increased: more than 600,000 passengers used the Mwasalat service in Muscat in the first 70 days, averaging around 9,000 passengers every day. These figures contrast with the average of 3,500 passengers per day before the launch of the new services.

Regarding the future, what future actions is the company planning?

A number of ambitious plans are awaiting for the company such as the expansion of the city and intercity bus fleet in order to implement new urban bus routes in Muscat, to establish new urban bus routes in other strategic cities of the Sultanate and to reinforce or extend the intercity routes with new services to other destinations or greater frequencies for existing routes.

The new services are receiving a very positive response from passengers

Intelligent Transport System (ITS) is key element for the modernisation of the company. What ITS are you planning to implement?

We are planning to implement smart ticketing, passenger information systems, automated vehicle management systems, etc. All this initiatives will help to improve transport system and mobility, reduce traffic associated problem, enhance the economy and, finally, help to continue the economic and social development of the Sultanate of Oman.

Public transport sector is very particular in Oman, what challenges is the company facing in this sector?

The main challenges is the regulation of the sector. Mwasalat needs this regulation: firstly, to regulate the taxi sector so they become a professional and complementary activity to bus services; and secondly, to regulate the passenger land transport market, so the coexistence of public (Mwasalat) and private bus companies is achieved with adequate competence conditions. Fortunately, the work is under progress with the recently approved Land Transport Law that was elaborated by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, which is the first step to regulate the sector.

How would you assess Ineco’s work and what is its role in the development of Mwasalat?

Ineco is developing for Mwasalat a comprehensive Master Plan that will chart the road map for the company’s evolution into an international-class bus operator over the period 2016-2040. The Master Plan is aimed at transforming Mwasalat into a world-class public bus transport operator. We really appreciate the involvement, flexibility and know-how of the Ineco’s team working in this project. Ineco has successfully demonstrated in the past months that they are a team of highly qualified professionals that can bring international best practice tailored to our needs and context.

Oman aims for an urban and interurban transport system that is modern, efficient and sustainable, covering all modes of transport and driving the country’s social, economic and tourism development. With these objectives, Ineco is carrying out comprehensive advisory and consulting work in the country for the proper planning and implementation of the system.

The company has thus drafted the Bus Transport Strategic Plan for Mwasalat, the public transport operator, formerly known as ONTC (Oman National Transport Company). The Plan, drawn up in conjunction with Grupo Ruiz, includes an extensive programme of actions such as the deployment, already underway, of the public transport network of Muscat, the capital, the implementation of new urban transport services in other cities such as Salalah and Sohar, and the extension of the current interurban transport network. It also includes an infrastructure investment programme (bus stations, workshops, parking areas, etc.), the implementation of new management and operation service technologies and the definition of financial plans.

By 2014, Ineco had carried out a Public Transport Master Plan for Muscat for the Oman Ministry of Transport and Communications (see ITRANSPORTE 54), which set out, among other actions, to create a sole public transport authority, to gradually implement a network of new routes and to construct a reserved platform (bus lanes). The Plan also involved the Ministry of Transport and Communications as well as other public bodies and entities, such as the Royal  Oman Police, the Ministry of Tourism and the National Planning Council.

RELIABLE AND MODERN PUBLIC TRANSPORT

These projects have represented a milestone in the strategic planning of the country’s public transport system. They are the starting point where the Ministry of Transport and Communications, through Mwasalat, has begun to implement new routes and to renovate the fleet of buses.

The new phase is reflected in the complete overhaul of the company’s corporate image, which has been renamed Mwasalat, “transport” in Arabic, and has unveiled a new logotype, inspired by the sails of the dhows, traditional Omani sailing vessels, in reference to the future public transport network.

The goal over is to consolidate a reliable and modern public transport system

The new fleet’s first 40 urban buses have been running on the five new urban routes in the capital since last November, a great success among passengers. Equipped with the latest technology, these low-floor buses have an air conditioning system, extendable ramps for wheel chairs and passenger-information systems. In addition, another 10 buses, designed for long distances, have also begun to provide interurban services, specifically between Dubai and Salalah, among other destinations.

The goal over the next few years is to consolidate a reliable and modern public transport system, which is environmentally-friendly and equipped with smart technologies, that contributes to and strengthens the socioeconomic development of Oman.

TOURISM BOOST

The population of Oman, 4,301,825 inhabitants according to data from 2015, is concentrated in the country’s major urban centres: Muscat, the capital, on the northeast coast, Sohar, to the north, and Salalah, in the south. These cities are all port cities, while the latter two are also industrial centres. Other important cities include Nizwa and Duqm. However, the population density is low for its territory of over 309,000 km², similar to that of Italy. It is noteworthy that 44% of residents, almost all in urban areas, are foreign workers in addition to being of a very young age: 68% are under 30 years of age according to data from the National Statistics Centre.

This population has come to the country attracted by the dynamism of its economy which is fifth among the economies of the Persian Gulf and 65th in the world according to the International Monetary Fund. Although it is the fifth exporter of oil in the region, Oman is carrying out various strategies to diversify its economy. These strategies include boosting international tourism, which has grown 12% over the last 15 years according to data from the World Tourism Organization. The sector is expected to account for 3% of GDP by 2020.

The development of a multimodal public transport system is key to achieving this, along with the construction and deployment of hotel and leisure infrastructure around the country. A government agency was created in 2005 for this purpose and is promoting several tourism projects: conference, leisure and sports centres as well as golf courses and hotels. We can highlight, for example, the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, the Alila Jebel Akhdar Resort and The W Hotel, in addition to the renovation of some of the major international hotels which belong to the government.

From a visitor’s perspective, Oman boasts several attractions which are not yet well-known worldwide, including a great variety of landscapes and climates, from the inland
desert climate and its wadis and canyons, to the tropical climate in the south or the milder coastal plain climate with practically untouched beaches. Tour operators offer packages that include sports and adventure activities such as scuba diving, cave exploration and trekking, as well as wildlife observation–birds, whales, dolphins, tortoises, etc., as, due to its geographical location, Oman is found on the migration routes of several species.

This is in addition to the urban culture and shopping opportunities offered by the capital, Muscat, which includes music, cinema, theatre, modern shops with international brands and souks, or the traditional markets. The country’s millennia-old history is reflected in the cultural and natural assets declared World Heritage by Unesco, such as the archaeological sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and the Al-Ayn necropolises, located inland, which date back to 3000 B.C.; the 2000-year old falajs or irrigation systems, The Frankincense Trail in Dhofar, to the south; and the fort of the oasis of Bahla, to the west of Muscat, one of the most spectacular among the many located throughout the country.