Transport vision: Transport plan aims to clean up Oman's air

Muscat: Oman’s new strategic plan for transport will reduce cars on the road and improve the environment by an extensive public transport network.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications hosted a press conference on Wednesday, detailing the 2017-2025 vision for public transport. A focal point for the strategy, Dr. Ahmed Al Futaisi explained, is the environmental advantage to public transport.
“The strategy will improve air quality by reducing emissions, will reduce noise and improve the quality of the surrounding environment. Public transport also requires fewer areas of land to be used,” the Minister of Transport and Communications said.
The public transport strategy will involve two main phases. Salim bin Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary at the Ministry, explained the phases of the plan.
“177 new buses will be purchased, 12 new lines will be operated within Muscat, 4 inter-city transport lines will be developed and 5 internal lines of public transport will be implemented in Sohar and Salalah, as well as the development of the shipping system, various advertising services, the construction of air-conditioned stations, and the implementation of new technical systems,” he said.
Study
The end of the first phase should also involve the study of establishing a Light Rail Train (LTR), as well as the establishment of a regulatory Authority for the sector. “The Ministry will follow up with the concerned authorities for the LTR during Phase III. The LRT plan requires competent authorities to provide the various funds and permits, in order to start the detailed study of the implementation,” the plan details revealed.
The Ministry is currently in the process of establishing a transport regulatory Authority, with specific functions. The Authority would establish standards and regulations to monitor public transport performance, in addition to cooperating with regional and international organisations that relate to public transport.
The second phase will run through the time frame 2019-2025, during which 173 new buses will be purchased and three new lines will begin operation within the Governorate of Muscat.
Eleven internal public transport lines will start operating in some governorates, and four inter-city buses will be developed.
According to the strategy, phase two would also involve the establishment of a bus and emergency lane, to reduce traffic times and increase the quality of service, and give priority to bus transits at major intersections.
There will also be development of pedestrian crossing areas around the stations, and the increase of bus stations. Phase two would also involve the “Park and Ride” initiative, where large car parks would be built by public transport stops so that individuals can park their cars and use public transport to reach their next destination. Phase three, on the other hand, will come in seven years.
It primarily involves the implementation of the Light Rail Train (LRT), as well as the use of the sea taxis, and the establishment of the Rapid Bus Transit.
Other public transport proposals that the strategy will consider include introducing new policies and laws that reduce the use of private cars, and increasing pedestrian corridors, bridges and transit tunnels.
“We need national awareness of this alternative to cars. We need to convince people to take on public transport in their lives. All main lines are available. With more completion of plans in the cities, we will see more connectivity and national awareness,” the Minister said.
The strategy aims to provide a total of 1,530 direct jobs, from drivers to maintenance and engineers. 5,354 indirect jobs will be provided, in issues like logistics and infrastructure. With regards to drivers, a centre has also been established to train drivers in good driving practices, most notably defensive driving.
Al Nuaimi indicated that the jobs will go to Omanis, as there has been large National demand for existing jobs so far.
The first phase will be rolled out over the next two to three years, and will set up bus lines through the main networks of the country, such as Salalah and Sohar, and the setting up of an authority to manage the new public transport infrastructure, according to Al Nuaimi.
Phase Two begins soon afterwards, to develop secondary bus lines across Oman, targeting areas such as Nizwa, Khasab, Duqm, Sur, Ibri and Al Buraimi.
“Phase three, which will begin after seven years, looks at developing the light train transit, sea taxis and rapid bus transit,” Futaisi added.