Muscat – Oman National Transport Company – Mwasalat – transported over 2mn passengers on its buses and ferries in the first six months of 2023. This figure represents a substantial increase compared to the 1.43mn passengers serviced during the first half of 2022.

The government-run company transported over 10,400 bus passengers and more than 600 ferry passengers daily. These accounted for a total of 1,900,000 bus passengers and 111,000 ferry passengers in H1 2023. 

Further, its ferries transported over 29,200 vehicles and more than 10,500 tonnes of cargo.

Among bus passengers, 37.32% were Omanis, who accounted for 80.09% of the ferry passengers. 

Female passengers accounted for 13.8% of the bus passengers and 21.8% of ferry passengers. 

Mwasalat transported more than 850,000 passengers in the first quarter of 2023 and a total of 3mn passengers in its buses in 2022. 

Similarly, its ferry services transported over 60,000 passengers in the first quarter of 2023, and a total of 221,000 in 2022.

The ferry services cover a broad network of routes including Shinas-Khasab, Shannah-Masi-rah and Khasab-Lima. Integrated bus and ferry services connect regions like the Governorate of Musandam and Masirah Island.

Mwasalat attributed these increased numbers to the Omani public’s growing interest in public transport, backed by the company’s effective marketing efforts and its dedication to service efficiency. The company maintains that customer satisfaction is integral to its success.

The company also highlighted its commitment to employment opportunities and localisation. ‘Jobseekers at Mwasalat received 15,000 training hours and the company boasts a 93% Omanisation rate,’ it stated.