Bahrain public transport passengers jump 150%

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The public transport system in Bahrain is making a big come back amid the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 33 thousand passengers are using the buses per day now, which is an increase of 150%, compared to the prior year.

“This number jumps to 45 thousand during weekends and public holidays,” said Sami Abdulla Ahmed Buhaza, the Undersecretary for Land Transportation and Post at the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications...

  Passenger numbers, Buhaza said, rose significantly following the introduction of upgraded buses in 2015.

“The number of busses servicing various routes also doubled.”

Even-though, the pandemic severely impacted the services, passenger footfall is rising again now, thanks to the stringent safety and security measures followed. 

Buhaza said the Bahrain Public Transport Company attaches great importance to this aspect. 

Passengers are required to wear face masks at all times. 

“We are also cleaning and sanitising frequently touched parts and switches throughout the day and is checking the temperatures of drivers and employees.”

An empty seat is left between each passenger to follow social distancing measures.  

“We had also suspended the use of paper tickets to reduce the need for touching objects on the bus,” said Buhaza. 

The company is also reviewing and rescheduling bus services according to the demand and connected important destinations in various part of the Kingdom.

The most prominent of them was connecting the network to the new terminal at Bahrain International Airport. 

Buhaza further said they had developed more than 300 bus stations, 26 new air-conditioned stations, and more than 70 new bus stops to cover new areas in the network. 

“The company is also operating a distinctive fleet of busses for the elderly and people with special needs.”  Besides, buses are also equipped with free wireless internet and have special weekly and monthly offers for Go-Card holders.

Buhaza said they are also working on more plans to encourage people to use mass transport services. 

“For this, the company is providing stops near residential areas, commercial markets and health centres.”

The ministry, Buhaza said, is also working on the Bahrain Metro project, which will provide a new travel experience for people in the Kingdom.

“Mass transit buses will act as feeder service to metro route in the future.”  On punctuality, Buhaza said that the ministry is keen to set performance indicators.

“We are continuously monitoring the commitment of buses to the timetables set and updates travellers continuously and realistically to reduce the waiting time.”

All bus stops have a QR Code to find actual bus timing for the station itself. Screens display the arrival time of buses in the main stations and Bahrain International Airport. Buhaza said the ministry is working to develop more comprehensive plans to reduce waiting time.

“We are currently in the process of identifying road lanes with high occupancy to grant them a priority.