By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter
Improvement in road connectivity has prompted retailers in Barwa Village to seek better public transport services from different localities, particularly Industrial Area. Speaking to Gulf Times, representatives of traders who run outlets in Barwa Village said there was a pressing need to improve public transport facilities at the earliest.
“For several months now, we have been waiting for not only an increase in the frequency of buses but also the introduction of new direct bus services to Barwa Village from different places in and around Doha,” said a businessman whose company operates an outlet in the township.
Reiterating the need for better public transport services, a section of traders claimed that some shop owners had been incurring losses due to “lack of patronage”. They said the introduction of more buses in the afternoon to Barwa Village from places such as the Industrial Area and Doha would go a long way in improving their finances.
The traders said now that there is better road connectivity with the Industrial Area through both the Wakrah-Wukair road and the stretch of E-Ring Road that is already open, it is high time buses to Barwa Village are started from the place. “To begin with, frequent services could be introduced on weekends. If there is an improvement in the patronage, they could be tried on a regular basis,” said a trader who relocated from Doha to Barwa Village over a year ago.
On a few occasions traders have arranged transportation to ferry workers from the Industrial Area to reach the place. Each of the trips, which were offered for free, evoked good response, according to some of those associated with the initiative.
Sections of workers in the Industrial Area also feel it would enhance their mobility if direct buses are introduced to Barwa Village through either the Wukair route or the Barwa City signal in Mesaimeer and E-Ring Road. As of now, they need to travel to the Central Bus Station in Doha to catch onward buses to the Village. The place would be easier to access if direct services are introduced from the Industrial Area, they point out.
Shop owners also highlighted the need to set up a bus station near Barwa Village.
The Mowasalat authorities, when contacted recently, cited ongoing road works in different parts of Doha as one of the main hurdles for introducing more services.
