{"id":1876,"date":"2016-06-02T18:27:24","date_gmt":"2016-06-02T16:27:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.revistaitransporte.com\/?p=1876"},"modified":"2016-06-16T16:52:30","modified_gmt":"2016-06-16T14:52:30","slug":"oman-hops-on-the-bus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.revistaitransporte.com\/oman-hops-on-the-bus\/","title":{"rendered":"Oman hops on the bus"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oman aims for an urban and interurban transport system that is modern, efficient and sustainable, covering all modes of transport and driving the country\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

By 2014, Ineco had carried out a Public Transport Master Plan for Muscat for the Oman Ministry of Transport and Communications (see ITRANSPORTE 54<\/a>), <\/i> 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\u00a0 Oman Police, the Ministry of Tourism and the National Planning Council.<\/p>\n

RELIABLE AND MODERN PUBLIC TRANSPORT<\/h4>\n

These projects have represented a milestone in the strategic planning of the country\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

The new phase is reflected in the complete overhaul of the company\u2019s corporate image, which has been renamed Mwasalat, \u201ctransport\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

The goal over is to consolidate a reliable and modern public transport system<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The new fleet\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n