World's largest electric bus depot opens in Lusail

* With capacity of 478 buses, Lusail Bus Depot enters Guinness World Records for being largest electric bus depot * Depot first in Middle East to rely on solar energy as it includes 11,000 PV solar panels to generate 4MW of power daily * Depot to serve World Cup fans and includes special Bus Rapid Transit zoneWith a capacity of 478 buses, the largest electric bus depot in the world was opened in Lusail City Tuesday.The project also adds to the list of records set in Qatar, as the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and Public Works Authority (Ashghal) have achieved a new Guinness World Record by constructing the largest electric bus depot in Lusail.Besides, this is the fourth accomplishment by Ashghal, to be added to the list of world records it has achieved.The depot, located west of Lusail City, is part of the MoT’s Public Bus Infrastructure Programme.HE the Minister of Transport Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti inaugurated the bus depot in the presence of HE the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali al-Thani, Public Works Authority (Ashghal) President Dr Saad bin Ahmad al-Muhannadi and a number of senior officials representing the Qatari transportation industry and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC).“Lusail Bus Depot, which is considered the world’s largest electric bus depot, has been inaugurated in the context of the Ministry of Transport's efforts to provide an integrated and sustainable public transit network that covers all areas of the country.The opening of Lusail Bus Depot and previous inaugurations within the Public Bus Infrastructure Programme are particularly important as they coincide with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and will contribute to supporting tournament’s mobility plans by providing multimodal, eco-friendly transportation that will offer visitors and the public an exceptional experience,” HE al-Sulaiti said.The bus depot, he noted, is the first in the Middle East to rely on solar energy as it includes 11,000 PV solar panels to generate 4MW of power daily to feed its buildings.This is in line with Qatar's National Environment and Climate Change Strategy goals, and helps achieve the leadership’s vision and Qatar National Vision 2030 goals, the MoT said in a statement.The depot has a special zone for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) e-buses, which is one of the newest mobility modes in Qatar that will contribute to supporting fan transportation during the World Cup, HE the Minister added.He thanked all those in charge of developing the Public Bus Infrastructure Programme, which backs the rollout of the strategy of transitioning to EVs that the MoT has developed in conjunction with the bodies concerned, aiming to position Qatar among the top countries in terms of public transit systems and environmentally conscious transportation services offered to citizens, residents and visitors.Lusail Bus Depot depot is built on an area of over 412,000sqm and consists of 24 multipurpose buildings, in addition to bus bays, service facilities, recreational facilities, green spaces and substations.It features approximately 11,000 PV solar panels covering a total area of more than 25,000sqm.The depot, located in in Lusail City north of Doha, near Wadi Al Banat Road to the north and Wadi Smaira Street to the west, is divided into three zones.The first zone includes 478 parking bays for e-buses equipped with 248 electric charging equipment, in addition to dedicated buildings for repairs, inspection, washing and vacuuming.The second zone includes accommodation for the depot staff with a capacity of 1,400 people, constructed in accordance with global specifications and the requirements of both the Ministry of Labour and the SC.This zone also includes service facilities such as dining along with convenience services, an indoor recreational facility, a mosque, an administration building, a services building, guardhouses and other service facilities.The third zone is a depot for BRT e-buses.It features 24 bays equipped with 24 electric chargers to support the operations of that type of buses.It also includes buildings for repairs, cleaning, vacuuming and quick inspection.An Operation Control Centre (OCC) building is also located in the depot over an area of more than 39,000sqm.It will serve as the central command centre from where all bus operations will be monitored and controlled.The solar-powered OCC will begin operations next year.According to Ashghal, the project involved over 10mn working hours without LTI.Director of the Technical Affairs Department at the MoT, Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalid al-Thani, said the opening of the depot is a result of concerted efforts made to deliver one of the Public Bus Infrastructure Programme’s most important projects that supports eco-friendly e-buses, thus boosting the transportation sector’s sustainable development.The programme’s fundamental goal is to improve public transit services in Qatar in step with the highest universal specifications, technologies and requirements, and to achieve integration with other modes of public transit such as the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram, to service fans during the World Cup and beyond.Al-Muhannadi stressed he was "proud of Ashghal's non-stop day-to-day accomplishments, achieveing the fourth Guinness World Record for the largest electric bus depot in a regional and international precedent."Ashghal projects became a globally high-end civilisational facade for Qatar," he added.The Ashghal president added that public transport services will be one of the most important lasting legacy elements after the World Cup.