Efforts under way to equip more workers’ buses with ACs

Efforts under way to equip more workers’ buses with ACs

The Elder
By The Elder

As the weather gets hotter in the country, some transport contractors are busy installing air-conditioners (ACs) in buses that are used to ferry workers, it is learnt.

This is in line with a government directive issued last year, stipulating that buses and vans, including those used to transport construction and other workers, must be air-conditioned.

The move was welcomed by large groups of labourers who had, for long, requested for comfortable transportation to and from work.

The order was to come into effect from July 1, 2015, weeks after the announcement was made around mid-June.

However, its implementation was delayed and companies reportedly got extensions after they cited financial and other difficulties in installing ACs in all their buses at one go, according to sources.

Now, officials of construction firms say they are "making all efforts" to equip their buses and vans with ACs in batches as the new deadline ends on July 1.

While some of the bigger construction and contracting firms have their own buses, a large number of companies use the services of transport contractors to ferry their workers, the sources point out.

When contacted on Wednesday, a transport company official told Gulf Times that their buses were currently being fitted with ACs and the process would continue in the coming weeks even though it was an expensive affair.

While sources say the rate at which buses are being fitted with ACs is a "little slow at this juncture", officials of transport companies believe the pace will increase by the middle of next month if the current deadline is not extended.

Representatives of companies with large fleets, however, feel they should get further extensions as they have more vehicles to make modifications to and it also involves huge spending.

The cost of equipping buses with standard AC equipment starts from QR10,000, according to transport company officials.

“While it remains to be seen if all buses will be equipped with ACs by the deadline, it’s certain that many of them will have cooling systems before the deadline ends, providing relief to a large number of workers," said a source familiar with the developments.

Besides workshops belonging to authorised bus distributors, some local agencies also have the required facilities for installing ACs in buses, it is found.

Meanwhile, some transport contractors reportedly equip their buses with ACs only when they are required to undergo the annual technical inspection, irrespective of the season and weather conditions, the sources add.

Courtesy: gulf-times.com

By mohd ali99• 30 Apr 2016 20:36
mohd ali99

Well said both of you..

By mohdata• 30 Apr 2016 19:58
mohdata

thank you :-) and yes, i read once about how we should keep an eye on those better off than us, so we don't become complacent...and the other eye on those worse off than us, so we don't become ungrateful...good attitude to have, right there...

By britexpat• 30 Apr 2016 19:26
britexpat

mohdata: Very well said my friend......Be thankful for what you have and always think about those who are worse off or suffering ...

By mohdata• 30 Apr 2016 19:16
mohdata

i feel ashamed and undeserving of god's blessings when i see my fellow human beings with their listless heads against the bus windows and the sweat dripping off their faces while they try to sleep through the long drive...really, its all the roll of god's dice and it could so easily have been us in their shoes and them in ours'; thank your god and be grateful amen...

By acchabaccha• 30 Apr 2016 14:46
acchabaccha

I wonder if a QLer who posted his comment has Aircon in his office, house or in his car. He appears to be so much concerned on the "negative effects" air conditioners have on plants, air, and the ozone.It appears when poor humans suffer in the terrible heat, it has no meaning to him.

By mohammed viquar ahmed• 30 Apr 2016 13:52
mohammed viquar ahmed

'Molten' that's not a valid excuse, bcs we r not worried when well paid professionals r burning fuel for their luxurious cars, we should give some importance to these poor paid laborers

By Molten Metal• 30 Apr 2016 10:19
Molten Metal

But cooling of the buses will negatively effect our plants & air. More fuel will be burnt by the driver hence the story of Ozone , CO2 etc would crop up , it will be a never ending entertainment for some ..............

By Wild Turkey• 30 Apr 2016 10:03
Wild Turkey

If the government were serious the police could stop every bus and check if it has a working A/C. Let's see how serious the government really is.

By britexpat• 30 Apr 2016 10:02
britexpat

It's quite simple .. The ministry could install wireless monitors in all such buses. These could monitor the temperature inside the bus and send an alert if the temperature exceeds a limit for a certain period

By Molten Metal• 30 Apr 2016 09:58
Molten Metal

July 1st is approaching fast, workers too need comfort as their selfish managers.

By mohammed viquar ahmed• 30 Apr 2016 09:52
mohammed viquar ahmed

Atleast, this time they must show their HUMANITY

By britexpat• 30 Apr 2016 08:22
britexpat

This is something that needs to be addressed. Every day we see poor labourers in the buses suffering after a hard day's work.

Shame on the owners of these buses -

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