Up-to-date guide on Karwa bus service in Qatar

Jul 4, 2021

While the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram have announced that they will temporarily suspend their services between July 9 and August 13 on Fridays, as well as during Eid Al Adha which takes place between July 21 and July 24, the Karwa buses controlled by government-owned Mowasalat will still be operating.

The Karwa buses, which are air-conditioned public buses, have 50 routes which pass by a large number of stops throughout Doha. Some of these buses begin their routes as early as 4 am and end as late as 11 pm on weekdays, while some routes end even later on the weekend, Thursday and Friday, at around 12 am. The majority of routes operate from a stop near the gold souq, the Doha Bus Station.

However, as of July 4, bus routes 10, 49, 94, 300, 201, 304 and 305 have temporarily stopped in accordance to MOTC instructions, and bus routes 45, 75, and 747 have permanently been withdrawn, according to Mowasalat.

With the gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in Qatar, the buses are now operating at a 30% capacity every day, while prior to May 28 the bus services were closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Passengers are currently not allowed to stand, with all MOPH instructions applicable, such as social distancing rules as well as the activation of the Ehteraz app during all rides.

The bus fares are the most affordable mode of transportation in Doha following the metro services, with fares starting as low as QR 2.5 for short trips, and a maximum of QR 9 for a single ride, to Abu Samra on the Saudi border and Al Shamal.

Before the COVID 19 pandemic, single and double trip Karwa bus tickets were available for passengers, but due to COVID-19, these tickets are no longer available. Currently, In order to ride the Karwa buses, atleast one of the three types of Karwa smart cards need to be purchased:

Classic Card: Costs QR 30, long-term rechargeable card
Limited Card: Costs QR 10, valid for two journeys within 24 hours
Unlimited Card: Costs QR 20, unlimited journeys within 24 hours

These cards are available to purchase and top-up at vending machines in multiple locations, such as Doha Bus Station, The Pearl Qatar, Qatar Mall, Hamad International Airport and Ooredoo Self Serving machines, along other partner merchants. Top-ups can be made in amounts of QR 10 at these vending machines, along with the Ooredoo Money app in amounts between QR 5 to QR 500 for a singular top-up.

Users need to tap their card upon entering and leaving the Karwa buses.

The current Greater Doha Bus Services route map, timings and days, as well as announcements and up-to-date changes are most accessible on the Karwa Bus app on iOS (Apple) and Google Play (Android).