Muscat – Back to school after vacation is always exciting. However,  with children returning to school, the number of vehicles on roads swells, leading to traffic congestion in the morning and lunch time. What measures should be taken to reduce rush hour traffic in Muscat? Here’s what Muscat Daily readers said –

Jatin Kumar Sangani, Senior accountant

To ease morning traffic in Muscat, schools should start at different times, carpooling should be encouraged, and school bus services improved. Safe walking and biking routes are also important. Expanding public transport, better managed drop-off zones, and improving traffic management can help. Raising community awareness, too.

Mohammad al Hinai, Government employee

There’s chaos on the roads, especially between Qurum to Ruwi. By assigning different timing for schools across the city, traffic flow would be spread out and bottlenecks reduced. I also feel that offices can have flexible hours to ease the pressure on parents, students and office workers alike.

Qaseem al Balushi, Salesman

Parents can encourage carpooling; fewer cars on the road would mean less congestion and stress. Schools could organise more buses, and promote carpooling for children living in the same neighbourhoods. These measures would definitely ease traffic and also be economical for  parents.

Mahesh Jain, Businessman 

One of the easiest and fasters ways is to invest in and promote public transportation, which is crucial to easing morning congestion. By having more bus services and expanding the network to cover school routes, more students can travel via public transport instead of private vehicles.

Mohammad al Abri, Government employee

There must be strict traffic regulations near school zones to help manage congestion. Creating drop-off and pick-up points a little further away from school entrances, monitored by traffic authorities, could help flow of cars. Also, I feel that school and office time must not clash with one another.

Chaamu, Fitness coach

Let children have a good breakfast and relax in the morning hours. I propose that schools start at 9am or 10am, not just for traffic problems but so parents and children can also have a stress-free morning.