Kuwait company to operate bus service on 19 routes in Sharjah

Sharjah: Sharjah Transport has awarded an eight-year franchise to Kuwait-based KGL Passenger Transport Services to operate public bus service on 19 routes that officials expect will help ease the city's traffic congestion.

More than 140 buses will operate on 19 service routes, and nine bus stations will be introduced by the end of March, and they are expected to operate 18 hours a day.

The buses will be able to handle 38 seated and 25 standing passengers.

A bus ticket will cost Dh3 and a discount will be available to those holding a "smart card". Details of the smart card will be made later.

Children and residents older than 60 will be allowed to ride the buses for free, and those with special needs will be granted a discount.

The announcement of an upgraded bus service was made during the signing ceremony between KGL Passenger Transport Services of Kuwait and the Sharjah Public Transport Corporation.

The agreement is part of the emirate's strategy to reduce congestion in the city, senior transport officials said on Thursday.

"The lack of implementing firm transport rules and the cheap price of fuel do not encourage the use of public transport, which ultimately contributes a great deal to one's economic development," said Saeed Esmail Dishty, chairman of Kuwait Public Transport.

He attributed the public's low interest in public transport to the poor quality of services offered by public transportation, the low cost of private cars and the lack of toll gates on roads that have the heaviest traffic.

"To enhance the efficiency of public transport, it should be privatised and a metro system should be introduced within the region," said Dishty, commenting on how the Gulf states can modernise their public transportation systems.