Qatar’s Transport & Communications Ministry (MOTC) has invited firms to submit bids for the contract to develop a public transport masterplan.

Consultants have until 4 May to submit proposals for the contract.

MOTC already awarded several packages in line with improving the country’s public transport infrastructure. These include a bus infrastructure consultancy package awarded in 2016 to US’ Aecom, and a bus operation plan awarded to France’s Systra. The first package is expected to include a plan to introduce a bus rapid transit (BRT) in the country.

Qatar has also recently awarded three of four contracts for its overarching transport masterplan.

Package 1, which entails data collection, has been awarded to UK’s Groundsure. Package 3, which comprises an update to the Qatar Strategic Transportation Model (QSTM), has been awarded to Italy’s Italconsult. Package 4, comprising updating the masterplan itself, has been awarded to a joint venture of Australia’s WorleyParsons and Germany’s PTV.

Package 2, which includes project management consultancy, has not been awarded.

PTV developed Qatar’s previous transport masterplan, which covered the 2006-16 period. The study and masterplan development was commissioned by the Municipality & Urban Planning Ministry, and was undertaken between 2006 and 2008.

Like most of the GCC states, Qatar is under pressure to introduce an integrated transport system to address growing traffic congestion in urban areas and to achieve their sustainability objectives. The holding of the 2022 Fifa World Cup in the country is another major factor encouraging the upgrade of its public transport infrastructure.