After the shaded area at the Mowasalat bus terminus in Al Ghanim was damaged by a rampaging bus on August 11, the transport company has stationed two AC buses as waiting enclosures for passengers.
It was not known, however, if the buses would be used as waiting enclosures permanently.
Waiting sheds were badly damaged in the freak accident which injured 13 people when a bus driver accidentally stepped on the accelerator instead of the brakes.
What remains in the waiting area are iron benches, which become very hot during the day when temperatures soar over 40 degrees Celsius, making it virtually impossible for people to sit on. “These buses are positioned here the whole day for people to use while waiting for their bus,” said a driver, adding the buses were stationed yesterday, as the terminus expected a surge in the number of passengers since all offices had opened after Eid holidays.
People welcomed the initiative, saying it was more comfortable waiting there as the buses were air-conditioned.
“It is much comfortable to wait here. My bus comes every 20 minutes but there are times when I miss it and I have to wait longer so this comes as a relief for me,” said a Filipina commuter who avails public bus service.
During peak times when there are many people waiting at the terminus and buses cannot accommodate them, some wait beside the stall selling refreshments while others stay beside the Mowasalat management building.
Some people suggested improving facilities at the eight-year-old terminus by erecting a permanent AC waiting area.
“I’ve seen several AC shelters at a few bus stops in Doha and they are hardly used by commuters, so I don’t see any reason why Mowasalat would not build an AC waiting area at this main station where many people wait for buses,” said a commuter.
According to Mowasalat, the central terminus serves around 80,000-100,000 passengers daily. “They should erect a fully covered AC waiting area because it is really hot during summer and waiting sheds are not enough,” said a Nepalese who is new to Doha, adding he found it hard to adjust to Qatar’s hot climate, as he came from a cold region in Nepal. A permanent AC waiting area, commuters say, is needed at the terminus because summer here is longer than winter.
Mowasalat could not be contacted for comment.
Source: The Peninsula
