Some residents have called for introduction of bus services connecting different shopping destinations in Doha and its neighbourhood.

They feel such buses can serve commuters better than some of the existing circular services, which are often seen running near-empty.

While seeking improved connectivity between different shopping locations, some of those who use public transport buses regularly told Gulf Times that these services could initially be tried on an experimental basis on weekends.

If successful, the transport company could consider making them regular weekend services, at least between the afternoon and late evening.

There are suggestions for operating services between shopping/commercial destinations such as City Center Doha, Barwa Village and Asian Town, with the routes including other areas that house popular hypermarkets and shopping centres within the city.

These services will allow them to visit one or more of these shopping centres with ease on weekends, the residents point out. They also stress that the authorities concerned should consider withdrawing some of the buses currently used on circular routes with low patronage and re-deploying them on services covering different shopping destinations.

While some of the commuting needs of workers living in the Doha Industrial Area have been addressed through the introduction of the "hop on, hop off" services between Al Attiyah Market and Asian Town, those residing in some other areas feel the travel facilities there need to improve considerably.

For instance, workers living in fast-growing towns as Umm Salal and Al Sheehaniya have stressed the need for more direct services between their locations and the main business areas in Doha.

Commuters have also reiterated that some of the circular services need to be re-planned if they are to become popular. In this regard, they have also suggested that buses used on some of the less popular routes be used on new routes or existing ones with high demand.