Public transportation services are vital for civic life. Recently, many countries in the
Middle East have turned their attention towards developing and improving their
public transport systems, as problems such as traffic congestions in cities, low mobility,
high individual costs of transport, and a rural-urban divide in services have
arisen. This study is a public needs assessment and opinion survey of an area in one
such Middle Eastern country, the Al-Batinah region of Oman. The study finds public
transport services in Oman are minimal and do not match demand, and there is
an excessive reliance on private cars. Marketing of public transport services is constrained
by certain environmental issues, particularly the socio-cultural and physical
environments. The study is innovative from both an approach and implementation
perspective and will help policy makers in Oman think about long-term strategies
towards establishing viable public transport solutions.