News | Ministry of Transport

Monday, April 17, 2017

Ministry to Launch School Transport Study to Relieve Traffic Congestion

DOHA, The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) has launched a planning study to develop proposals to reduce the effects of school transport on Doha’s already heavily congested roads.In collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Land Transport Department at the MOTC has developed a questionnaire on school transport that will be sent to the parents of all pupils at every level of education, and at every type of educational institution.The Ministry of Education and Higher Education will use its social networks and distribute the questionnaire to kindergartens and schools on 17 April, and will use SMS to remind parents to provide their feedback the following day. A questionnaire hyperlink will also be available on the websites of the two ministries to encourage the widest possible contribution from the public. The questionnaire can be accessed here: http://www.motc.gov.qa/en/stsThis questionnaire will be vital in updating the Qatar Strategic Transport Model and the feedback received will help to better understand the dynamics of school transportation and its relation to the demographic, social and economic characteristics of the family.Questionnaire answers will be used by the MOTC and bodies concerned to develop planning proposals for short- and long-term solutions and alternatives to encourage the use of bus school transport, thus helping reduce school trip effects on the road network.Traffic on the roads is already dense during peak times, especially on school days, and it is hoped that the study will result in identifying ways in which school transport can be adapted to mitigate its impact on the network, while enhancing school bus services.

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Mwani meets Qatar Chamber and food importers for discussions

Officials from Qatar Ports Management Company, Mwani Qatar, met foodstuff importers at the Qatar Chamber’s Trade and Research Committee offices last Thursday, 13 April. The meeting analyzed the latest actions taken by Mwani, increases of import tariffs, and some other issues faced by food importers in Qatar.QC Vice Chairman Mohamed bin Twar, the Head of QC’s Trade and Research Committee Adel Al Mannai, and QC Director General Saleh Al Sharqi were present at the meeting, along with the Director of Doha Port Management Captain Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Yafei and Head of Operations Omar Al Khyyat. Bin Twar praised the efforts exerted by the government to streamline the business environment to overcome all obstacles facing the private sector. He also indicated that an upcoming visit would be organized by the chamber for traders and business owners to visit Hamad Port to inform them on all operations, procedures and workflow inside the port. He paid tribute to the port and its role in opening new horizons for business and facilitating the business environment.Abdulaziz Al Yafei thanked the chamber for hosting the event, assuring that Mwani Qatar is very interested in importers’ suggestions and visions so that it could find appropriate solutions in accordance with its standards. He said there are 56 systems that are in operation to save time and effort during the release of cargo in Hamad Port. He praised the cooperation with Qatar Chamber, General Authority of Customs, shipping lines and all competent bodies. He also mentioned the first marine line between Hamad Port and Shanghai, China, which was launched in January, with a second line to be inaugurated soon. Regarding Mwani tariffs, he said that the list of fees prepared by the port management was based on extensive study, noting that fees ensure flexibility and clarity for all users. He further stated that the installation of generators on containers is imposed according to a request from the Ministry of Health to prevent the growth of salmonella bacteria. Mwani officials and attendees agreed to reduce the generator fuel tank sufficiency specification from 48 continuous working hours to 20 hours.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

20% Rise in Bus Ridership in 2016, Improvements Continue

Doha-Efforts to improve public transport in Doha and the State of Qatar resulted in a 20 percent increase in bus ridership in 2016, according to a statement by the Technical Affairs Department at the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC).The changes, made in close coordination with Mowasalat (Karwa), include route realignments, more frequent services on some routes, enhanced bus facilities and improvements in public transport information and ticketing.Improvements to existing bus services will continue through 2017 with enhancements and new services to and from Hamad International Airport, changes to the West Bay Shuttle bus, improved services between the Industrial Area and Al Ghanim Station, and a new service to the Pearl and Lagoona Mall.In the medium term, the Ministry has commissioned a number of new planning and design studies to improve public transport in Qatar over the next 5 years. These include the development of a new bus network plan to introduce a range of new city services and routes, as well as new feeder routes into the Doha Metro, the design of 18 new bus stations, depots, park and ride sites, and development of an Internet portal and mobile applications for journey planning.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

HE Minister Addresses 12th Airport Council Int’l Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly Conf. & Exhibition

HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti today inaugurated the 12th Airport Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly Conference and Exhibition being held in Doha on April 10-12.In his opening speech, HE the Minister said that over the past two decades, Qatar has risen to prominence both regionally and internationally to become an economic, political and cultural powerhouse in the Middle East.He said that nowadays the issue of air connectivity is more relevant than ever because it is closely connected with productivity, economic growth, and international trade. With the global center of economic gravity continuing to shift eastwards, Qatar is ideally geographically situated to provide the bridge between the mature markets and the emerging sources of future wealth.He also noted that work is currently underway to expand the Hamad International Airport, which over the past three years has established itself as a world-class hub, thus facilitating the expansion of our national carrier Qatar Airways that currently connects Doha with more than 150 destinations.HE the Minister said that besides providing the airport infrastructure to boost air connectivity, Qatar has adopted over the years a liberal approach to air service bilateral policy, since it’s our belief that fair competition supports passenger traffic growth, the development of the aviation and tourism sectors. It also contributes to the growth and productivity of the general economy by increased trade, business activity, and greater personal productivity. We are therefore welcoming all initiatives that will further allow airlines to get access to markets around the world giving more schedule and pricing options to the end user, the passengers. And with ACI's projected annual passenger growth of almost 5% in the coming 20 years it is an industry worth looking into and investing, he added.But the global aviation industry is not only opportunities; it faces also significant challenges: an era of economic and political uncertainty, external security threats, congestion in the air and the ground, restrictions to access specific markets, and environmental issues.I would like to expand on is the environmental impact of aviation. All members of the aviation industry should continually strive to improve their environmental performance and actively participate in the aviation's efforts to tackle climate change. Since their inception, both Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport have been committed to caring for the environment, demonstrating environmental responsibility in all their activities and openly communicating their environmental performance to develop the trust on which long-term environmental leadership is built.HE the Minister closed his speech by congratulating ACI for its Airport Carbon Accreditation programme that is a great initiative towards the aviation's efforts for sustainable growth, and to commend Hamad International Airport for becoming the first airport in the GCC to achieve Level 3 "optimization" status in the programme.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Qatar looks forward for a smart future with an all-inclusive national digital transformation through TASMU

The Smart Qatar “TASMU” program will provide more than 100 projects for local and foreign companies and entrepreneurs, and Qatar Development Bank will be providing the necessary funding for its projects, Ms. Reem Al-Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Society Development at the MoTC, said in an exclusive interview with the Arabic daily Al-Raya.Qatar looks forward for a smart future with an all-inclusive national digital transformation through TASMU, which HE Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani launched at QITCOM 2017. She also said that TASMU is initially focused on five priority sectors; transport, logistics, environment, healthcare, and sports.

Saturday, April 8, 2017

“Mada” Launches Website e-Accessibility Program

MADA Assistive Technology Centre launched e-Accessibility program in coordination with government bodies. The project includes training web developers and designers, audits of the e-accessibility of government websites and putting in place remedial steps as part of a comprehensive consultation process.Mada has worked to implement the policy by offering a series of services, including audits, consultations, and training. These efforts have been carried out to fulfill center’s goal of empowering people with disabilities and elderly through greater access to information and communication technology.Access to digital platforms and content, as well as the ability to make use of all types of information and communication technology, is fundamental to build a transparent knowledge based society. This includes a provision of accessible e-government services, online banking, and other critical services to all residents and citizens of Qatar.Mada launched a comprehensive year-long project in the beginning of 2017 with the aim of increasing the e-accessibility of all government websites. The project includes training web developers and designers, audits of the e-accessibility of government websites, and putting in place remedial steps as part of a comprehensive consultation process.In the first quarter of 2017, Mada Center worked with ten government ministries and agencies which includes Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Transport and Communications, Education and Higher Education, Development Planning and Statistics, Health and Justice. Additionally, Mada worked with Qatar Tourism Authority, Qatar Museums, the Supreme Council for Delivery and Legacy, the Qatar Aeronautical College and the Communications Regulatory Authority.