Over 1,300 buses to take part in World Cup service test on Thursday

Mowasalat (Karwa) has announced that it will run a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 bus service test on Thursday, connecting downtown Doha with Al Janoub and Al Bayt stadiums.

The test will involve more than 1,300 buses on nine routes, and cover a full day, the company said on Twitter on Tuesday.

 The initiative comes as part of Mowasalat (Karwa)'s efforts to prepare its drivers to 'Deliver Amazing' during the World Cup.Qatar is making massive arrangements to ensure smooth and extensive public transport operations during the World Cup, which will be held from November 20 to December 18. This includes bus services, the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram.In April this year, Hamad Port received 130 electric buses, which marks the last batch of a total of 741 units Qatar had ordered for the World Cup. The fleet will be fully operated by Mowasalat (Karwa) and embedded in the country’s public transit system, thus creating a lasting legacy of clean-energy mass transit after the championship, according to the Ministry of Transport (MoT).During 2022, electric buses will be used for metrolink services. They will also be used on public transit routes that will basically operate in Doha, in addition to deploying them in Lusail City and Al Khor. There will be over 200 operational and administrative staff members and more than 3,000 drivers for the e-bus fleet operations.The fleet of electric buses comes in the context of supporting the execution of the action plan as part of the strategy to transition to electric vehicles that the ministry has developed in association with the bodies concerned. The full delivery of Qatar’s electric bus order is setting the stage for transforming 25% of the bus fleet of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to electric.Meanwhile, the Public Bus Infrastructure Programme is being implemented by the MoT in co-ordination with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) as part of the provision of high-quality transportation services and modern parking facilities strategically distributed across the country and accessible for everyone easily and affordably. It supports the country’s public transportation network and Doha Metro services for citizens, residents, visitors and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 fans, who can make use of public transportation to reach World Cup stadiums.