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Doha – Qatar

The Ministry of Transport and Communications unveiled its Integrated Automated Fare Collection and Ticketing System for public transportation by signing the project contract today with Gulf Business Machines Qatar (GBM) in partnership with MSI Global of Singapore.

Planned to complete and begin operation in 2020, the new system provides a unified ticketing mechanism for public transport within Qatar’s internal transportation network, latest credit card payment technologies in addition to payment via smartphones and smartwatches.

The project aims to improve Qatar’s transportation system functionality, achieve integration and encourage people to use public transport more frequently by providing a more flexible and seamless system.

It also aims to achieve a set of environmental goals by helping in reducing emissions that result from high use of private vehicles. Additionally, it aims to apply the country’s transportation systems integration plans through deploying world’s latest technologies and best standards.

Moreover, the new system is hoped to lower traffic-related problems by easing pressure on road networks. It would also help increase traffic safety, achieve the economic goals associated with the efficiency of mobility, transportation and logistics services.

The contract was signed by MOTC’s Assistant Undersecretary of Land Transport Affairs Mr. Rashid Taleb Al Nabet and GBM Qatar Board Chairman Mr. Badr Omar Al Mana.

On this occasion, HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti said that the project comes within the Ministry’s efforts to further improve the performance and integration of the country’s transportation system to achieve the economic objectives associated with transportation efficiency and effectiveness. He said it would also encourage the public to use this well-equipped and modern public transit easily and smoothly, within a framework of collaboration between Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) and Mowasalat “Karwa.” This, he added, would help in the integration of all current and future land and marine transport networks.

The Ministry by establishing this new system contributes to enforcing state policies on boosting the domestic private sector’s role and ingraining the principle of competitiveness on national economy, HE the Minister noted.

The project, he added, aims for the optimal use of computer technologies, advanced communications systems and smart e-payment systems that mirror latest developments in mobility and transportation industry. This is one of the smart projects that help streamline procedures through reducing time and effort consumed.

He also said that the Ministry is making serious efforts on several fronts to develop transportation services and did complete several key strategic studies and projects for further developing Qatar’s land transport industry.

This is aimed at providing best applicable solutions and facilitations so as to put in place a modern, safe, integrated and environment-friendly transportation system in line with Qatar’s National Development Strategy 2018-2022 and Qatar National Vision 2030, HE the Minister said.

The structure of the new project has multiple components for a unified fare collection and ticketing system, including ticketing, ticket vending machines, standalone validators and central clearinghouse.

Mr. Al Nabet said that the public would use the new system very easily on all needs related to public transportation such as the metro, the Lusail Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, buses, taxis and marine transport.

He added that improving mobility and comfort for people, increasing traffic safety, reducing energy consumption, limiting impact on the environment and increasing productivity are some of the new system’s top features.

The project aims to achieve a paradigm shift in terms of public transit performance by founding an integrated, multimodal clearinghouse system in line with best world standards in addition to raising the efficiency of the land transport network in general, he added.

There are numerous advantages for public transit users who will be able to use a single ticket for all means of transport and the tickets will be easy to buy and recharge, let alone the flexibility and comfort when using public transit, parking lots and sports stadiums, he added.

For public transit operators, he said, the new system is helping reduce costs associated with ticketing systems, machines and maintenance and provide continued supply of data; which would help monitor the curve of demand, draw and apply best operational plans, improve the network, update prices and guarantee a safe e-payment.

The system also allows the state to supervise the operation of public transit services with full flexibility and transparency, he said. It also helps increase mobility and transportation policies effectiveness, in addition to the security dimension through the availability of information on operators and users let alone the availability of basic information sources needed for informed planning and enhanced integration in the future for road and transportation networks.