19.08.2008
ELECTRIC BUS & TAXI PROGRAMME TO GIVE DOHA 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL BOOST
Doha’s streets will soon be filled with battery powered buses and taxis courtesy of Mowasalat, Qatar’s state owned public transportation company.
Doha 2016 Bid Chairman, Hassan Ali Bin Ali, was delighted at the introduction of the new green initiative to the cities’ transportation infrastructure.
“The Bid Committee is proud to support local initiatives that are propelling Qatar to the forefront of environmental awareness within the region. We are deeply committed to promoting a sustainable environment in Qatar and encouraging proactive proposals to maintain our exceptional environmental standards,” said the Bid Chairman.
Mowasalat currently operates Liquid Petroleum Gas powered taxis throughout the city in an effort to reduce pollution throughout Doha. In addition, Mowasalat plans to convert the majority of the public buses currently operating in Doha to run on LPG in the near future. Doha launched the first taxi to be powered by LPG in September 2007 (becoming the first country in the GCC to introduce the technology into public transport) and continues to demonstrate its innovative environmental solutions and set the environmental standard in the region.
The battery powered taxis to be introduced in the upcoming months will run on a 72v GEL battery, at a maximum speed of 60 km per hour and will be able to carry a maximum weight of 350kg. In addition, the environmentally friendly buses will have a maximum speed of up to 70km per hour. They will have a seating capacity of up to 60 passengers and will be able cover a transportation area between 120km to 150 km.
Sport and the environment are intrinsically tied together in Qatar; as demonstrated by the recent creation of the Sport and the Environment Committee under the auspices of the Qatar Olympic Committee. The Committee is headed by Dr. Saif Ali Al Hajari, Vice Chairman of the Qatar Foundation and Environmental Director of the Doha 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games Bid Committee.
“Qatar is leading the way environmentally in the region and is implementing many initiatives that are aimed at creating a sustainable environment. We are looking to alternative methods of energy and the recent implementation of alternatively powered public transportation vehicles is another way we can reduce our carbon emissions nationwide,” said Al Hajari.