Yesterday, the Sila Operation Center was opened in order to improve the country’s multimodal transport system integration.
The “Sila Operation Center,” which will serve as the hub of Qatar’s Public Transport Integrated Services, was opened yesterday by Minister of Transportation H E Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti.
The event was attended by Minister of Municipality H E Dr Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie and President of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi and other officials.
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The Center includes Sila Brand Management and Wayfinding, Unified Electronic Ticketing Hub and related payment systems, Central Clearing House and Test Authority. The Ministers and other officials visited different sections of the center where they were briefed about the operations of Sila system.
The Center will also compliment the work of the National Transport Coordination Center and the Land Transport Safety Committee.
Talking to media, Minister of Transport said that the Lusail Bus Station will be inaugurated soon. “With all its latest facilities and features, the station will be opened next month. “Lusail Bus Station will be one of the most beautiful stations in the region and the world.”
The Minister further said that with its ports and airports, Qatar is all set to welcome its fans for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. “The public transport system of the country is also ready to serve the fans at the tournament. The ports will receive the big cruise ships while all arrangements have been made at the airports to cater the transportation needs.”
The Minister added that execution of good practices in public transportation sector would continue after the FIFA World Cup as per the vision of the country’s leadership and Qatar National Vision 2030 objectives.
“We have crossed the target of converting 25% of the public transportation into eco-friendly mode. The public and school transportation will be completely eco-friendly by 2030,” he noted.
In the past few years, the Ministry of Transport has made strides in effectively improving public transport in Qatar, thereby encouraging its usage. The Ministry’s initiatives included enhancement in public transport services such as introducing new modes of public transport, integration of a multimodal transport system, and launching Sila, which brings together the public transport network through services such as a journey planner through its app and website.
Minister Al-Sulaiti said in a statement, “We launched Sila with the mission to bring together the State of Qatar’s public transport modes into an integrated network, offering people the smartest choices for travel and supporting the country’s ongoing development. Today, we take another step in that direction by inaugurating what will become a hub for all future sustainable public transport milestones, aiming to achieve a fundamental change in Qatar’s public transport network and enhance its efficiency to create a more connected and sustainable transport network for generations to come.”
“Sila is the result of an ambitious vision to connect individual public transport modes and create a sustainable future, ultimately benefiting citizens, residents, and tourists alike,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Thani, director of the Technical Affairs Department at the Ministry of Transport. Currently, Sila has cab, buses, trams, and the metro. It will include a number of initiatives, including integrated payment options, the introduction of new services and transport options, and promotion of the public transportation system through public awareness and marketing campaigns to reach a broad audience within Qatar. It will be launched in phases.
