With the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Mowasalat (Karwa) has set new standards for event transportation worldwide: the company has shown that mega-operations can be achieved with sustainable solutions.
For Qatar 2022, Mowasalat (Karwa) deployed 4,000 buses and a workforce of more than 18,000 staff from 90 nations, including thousands of specially trained drivers for the tournament. The bus services safely shuttled over 7,550,760 passengers through all its transport services, including the public bus and Metrolink network, which operated for extended hours during the tournament on more than 200 routes.
Mowasalat (Karwa) provided diverse tournament bus services, including accommodation connector services, which transported passengers to stadiums from the main accommodation hubs and cruise ships, in addition to the Central Doha services, which were dedicated to transporting passengers to fan zones and events around the Corniche, Central Doha, B-Ring and C-Ring roads. The airport connector services took care of travellers from Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Doha International Airport (DIA). Mowasalat (Karwa) also provided taxis, limousines and accessible vehicle services round-the-clock to and from the airports.
At the conclusion of the mammoth project, the company recorded an incredible 2,910,425 kilometres driven and 234,447 working hours for operational staff ONLY for tournament-related bus services.
Efficient and green shuttle services
One of the most spectacular offerings, and as a FIRST in the history of the tournament, fans had the opportunity to watch more than one match in one day through the dedicated stadium-to-stadium shuttles – which was truly appreciated by 54,709 users. As a special service to Qatar’s neighbouring countries, about 600 buses were also dedicated to transport a total of 414,970 fans arriving at the Abu Samra borders to attend the matches and enjoy the tournament.
Another FIRST was the deployment of almost 900 e-buses, which reduced the carbon footprint of the event – equivalent to the CO2 absorption of 18,078 trees. This is not only part of the company’s declared sustainability goals, but – on a larger scale – also part of Mowasalat’s goal to contribute to the ecological target under Qatar National Vision 2030. In this regard, the tournament acted as a catalyst to build expertise in environmentally friendly transport solutions, to serve as a foundation of a soon 100 per cent green public shared transport network.
Also in line with the country’s agenda of Qatar for All, the company made good on its promise to provide easy and reliable access to transportation for people in wheelchairs. Mowasalat dedicated a fleet of 70 special vehicles that operated around the clock to make sure that everyone enjoy the spectacle to the fullest. In addition, more than 938 buses from their fleet were wheelchair accessible.
For guests with individual transport requirements, Karwa ramped up its taxi and limousine services to cater to the enormous influx of international guests. Three thousand vehicles ran for a total of 571,699 trips and brought almost one million passengers to their individual destinations in and around Doha.
Years of detailed planning
According to Mowasalat (Karwa) CEO Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, they are more than pleased to see that years of detailed planning, training and testing paid off and provided an exceptional experience and brought seamless, safe and eco-friendly transportation to fans, residents and guests from all over the world.
Qatar 2022 has shown what we are capable of and greatly elevated the country’s profile in the world. Our team has gone to great lengths to employ the latest technology, equipment and vehicles to achieve our high sustainability goals.
Most of all, he said that the realisation of the project could not have happened without the commitment and dedication of thousands of volunteers and staff that put and keep all gears in motion.
We are proud to have added considerable value to the event and to again have underlined the company’s leading role in transportation in the region.
Mowasalat (Karwa) COO Ahmad Hassan Al Obaidly, meanwhile, said they are proud that their contribution helped in the successful delivery of transport services, which had been one of the cornerstones in the success of the exceptional edition of the tournament. He said they are pleased to see the rewards of thorough planning and analysis of fleet capabilities through test runs and their provision of transport services to a number of international tournaments that were considered mini editions of the World Cup. He said that all these helped them develop their world-class transport operations.
For Mowasalat (Karwa), the gain from Qatar 2022 is a legacy of expertise and readiness to provide transportation services for any future events hosted by Qatar, while making use of the country’s brand-new infrastructure.
The tournament also served as a catalyst for the electrification of the public transport fleet and the broad acceptance of shared transport. Mowasalat (Karwa) has proven to be a determining pillar on the way to a connected, greener Qatar.
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