Mwasalat public bus services at Salalah, Sohar from December 28

To celebrate the launch, Mwasalat will offer services for free for seven days from the launch date

MUSCAT: Oman National Transport Company (Mwasalat) has announced the launch of public transport services in the Wilayat of Salalah in the Governorate of Dhofar, and the Wilayat of Sohar in the Governorate of North Al Batinah, from Friday, 28 December.

This comes as part of the company’s commitment towards the implementation of the public transportation strategic plan in the Sultanate of Oman.

With these new services, Mwasalat emphasises on its purpose to establish a public transportation network that serves all citizens, residents and visitors, making public transport buses an alternative for private vehicles, which will reduce traffic congestion and mitigate harmful emissions, as well as achieving social, economic and tourism benefits.

The new routes intend to serve ports, airports and hospitals, as well as health and educational institutions in Salalah and Sohar, as well as a number of essential locations that are witnessing continuous traffic movement and considered important to residents and visitors of both wilayats.

In the first it will operate one route in Salalah and two in Sohar.

The Salalah route will be Salalah Airport – city centre – Salalah Port. The two routes in Sohar will be Sohar Port – city centre – Sohar Hospital and Salan –Al Suwaihera roundabout. Aiming to encourage people to use these new public transport services, Mwasalat will offer services for free for seven days from 28 to 3 January 2018.

Ahead of the launch, Mwasalat took into account the need of various segments of the society to use safe and convenient means of transportation. A team from the company conducted field visits to the two wilayats and met with the concerned authorities to take their opinions and record their requirements, in order to form a common view on public transportation services inside each wilayat.

Moreover, the needs of facilities and infrastructure have been identified to ensure that the service is operated properly, in addition to addressing the concerned authorities to provide the required needs.

The company believes that the most important requirements for the implementation of the strategic plan for public transport is the concerted efforts of public and private agencies at all levels, in order to support the efforts of developing public transport services in the Sultanate of Oman. The launch of the new routes coincided with providing direct and indirect job vacancies for Omanis. A number of Omani employees have started their jobs in the two wilayats in preparation for launching the services on time, which increases the contribution of Omani citizens in the development of the logistics sector. Mawasalat will use new buses for the new services in the two wilayats, with free wireless internet access (WiFi) powered by Omantel, our strategic partner.

The buses are equipped with cutting edge technologies, specifically designed for Mwasalat to suit the nature and specifications of roads in the Oman. They also include emergency brakes, alarm system that notifies the driver when the bus deviates from the road, a system to maintain safety distance, in addition to electronic braking systems and a collision avoidance system.

Special priority seats, were provided for families and ladies, as well as spaces designated for persons with disabilities.

Salalah route

The new route in Salalah will be as follows: Salalah Airport - Dhofar University - Al Sa’adah Sports Complex - Dhofar Police Station Technical College - Sultan Qaboos Armed Forces Hospital - Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex – Al Hasila roundabout - 23rd July Street - Sultan Qaboos Mosque – Al Nahdah Street – Salalah Park – Al Rabat Street – Awqad roundabout - Salalah Club - Al Qurum roundaboutSultan Qaboos Street - Salalah Port) and then the bus will return through the same route towards the starting point, every 30 minutes from 6:00 am to 11:30 pm on weekdays, and from 7:00 am to 11:30 pm on weekends and public holidays. Tickets will be available on the bus.

Sohar routes

Sohar Port – City Centre – Hospital route: Sohar – Ghadan –Falaj Al Qabael – Al Makarem Street – Al Ghashba Street – Sultan Qaboos Street – Fruits and Vegetables Market – Sohar Market – Corniche Park – Friday Market – Al Waqba Street – Sohar Municipality – Sohar Medical Complex – Sohar Bridge – Wadi Haiby Street – Farmers Market –Directorate General of Municipalities – International Exhibitions Centre – Sohar Hospital).

Salan –Al Suwaihera roundabout route: Salan tunnel – Al Tarif Street – Al Waqiba Street – Sohar Municipality – Sohar Medical Complex – Omani Woman Association – Ghiel Al Shabol roundabout – Al Nour Street - Al Suwaihera roundabout), and then the bus will return through the same route towards the starting point, at a rate of one trip every 30 minutes from 6:00 am to 11:30 pm on weekdays, and from 7:00 am to 11:30 pm on weekends and public holidays. Tickets will be available on the bus.