Expect more traffic congestion next week

Traffic jams are lasting for hours on Doha roads as people have returned from vacation overseas, with schools reopening on Sunday.

Peak-hour traffic jams are particularly causing chaos on roads with experts warning the situation could only get worse.

The only solution is that more and more people use public transport wherever possible and ministries, private and state companies and schools change their work timings.

“The problem is that almost all schools, ministries, and government and private offices open at almost the same time in the morning so people rush,” said a traffic expert who didn’t want his name in print.

Flexibility in work and school timings is required considering that development work is going on in full swing all over and many roads are still under construction, he said.

“I am supposed to report for work early in the morning but I actually go to office at 10am. By this time the roads are free, if not entirely empty.” “I work from home early in the morning,” said the expert. “My employers are flexible.”

He said that the free shuttle bus services introduced by the government in the West Bay area are a welcome initiative. Such services should be introduced to other areas as well. 

“Europeans have begun taking advantage of these services but Arabs and Asians still prefer to drive their own cars despite the chaotic roads and parking woes.”

Taking a cue from Europeans, people should cooperate with the authorities instead of complaining about busy and chaotic roads.

On its part, the government should provide buses to expatriate and private schools on nominal charges to ferry children.

The state can very well do it since it provides buses free of charge to government schools, said the expert. If all schools are provided buses and the charges are nominal, parents would not drive children to school in their private cars.

The Peninsula | Photo by Salim Matramkot