Mowasalat

What Mowasalat does

Mowasalat (Karwa) Q.P.S.C. is Qatar's state-owned public transport company, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Doha, operating an integrated mobility portfolio across public bus services, Karwa Taxi and Doha Limousine services, Metrolink feeder routes, MetroExpress on-demand transit, and school/corporate/event transport. The company serves general commuters, schools, corporate clients, tourists, and individual taxi users, and distributes services through its own Karwa Taxi and Karwa Journey Planner mobile applications, a 24/7 call center, website, WhatsApp, and a strategic Uber integration. Mowasalat employs between 5,001 and 10,000 people and runs over 900 electric buses — the largest such fleet in the region — housed at the Guinness World Record-holding Lusail depot with 478+ charging stations and 4 pantographs for fast charging.

Mowasalat's technology stack combines AI and machine-learning systems for predictive maintenance, route and schedule optimization, and passenger-flow modeling; autonomous electric bus trials at Lusail in partnership with Chinese manufacturer Yutong; and Qatar's first commercial RoboTaxi service launched in December 2025 with Pony.ai. Digital infrastructure is being modernized through an October 2025 agreement with Ooredoo for cloud, IoT, and passenger Wi-Fi. The Karwa Academy (formerly Karwa Driving School), IMI-certified and capable of training 500 trainees daily, supplies professional drivers internally and externally.

Revenue is generated through fare-based public bus and Metrolink services, transaction-based taxi and limousine bookings (Standard, VIP, and Luxury tiers including an Audi E-Tron EV limousine), subscription-based school and corporate transport contracts, transit advertising on vehicles and stations, and professional driving training fees. The company is wholly owned by the Government of Qatar (organized as a Qatari Public Shareholding Company but not publicly listed) and is expanding internationally via Karwa Motors LLC, a joint venture with the Oman Investment Authority for school bus supply and assembly.

Name

Mowasalat

Legal name

Mowasalat (Karwa) Q.P.S.C.

Website

https://mowasalat.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Mowasalat (Karwa) is Qatar's state-owned public transport company operating public buses, taxis, limousines, and an autonomous robotaxi service with the region's largest electric bus fleet, serving commuters, schools, corporates, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transportation Services

NAICS

Taxi and Ridesharing Services (485310), Taxi and Limousine Service (4853), Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation (485)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Dispatch / Call Center Taxi Services (THADAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

On-Demand Airport & Event Ride Services (Dedicated Queues/Permits) (THAIAGAK), Group Ground Transportation & Logistics (Shuttles, Transfers) (THACAFAE), Corporate Transportation & Logistics Coordination (HSACADAG)

Keywords

• Public transportation services
• Taxi and limousine services
• Electric bus fleet
• Autonomous robotaxi services
• Professional driver training

Headquarters

HQ city

Doha

HQ country

Qatar

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Bus Transportation: End-to-end public bus services for commuters. Revenue generated through bus fares. Fleet includes electric buses operating on major routes with metro link services.
2. Taxi and Limousine Services: Karwa Taxi services through app, online, or phone booking. Includes economy service (Fox Transport partnership), standard taxis, and luxury Doha Limousine services (Standard, VIP, Luxury tiers). Also includes Electric Vehicle Limousine Service with Audi E-Tron fleet.
3. Transit Advertising: Advertising opportunities on taxi vehicles, public buses, and bus stations. Revenue from businesses advertising their brands on Mowasalat's fleet.
4. School, Corporate, and Event Transportation: Custom transport solutions for schools, corporate clients, tourism, and events. Includes school bus services and specialized transport for events like Qatar 2022.
5. Karwa Academy Training Services: Professional driving training programs including light and heavy vehicle licenses, defensive driving, emergency response, dangerous goods transport, and specialized training for electric vehicles. IMI-certified training center.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mowasalat (Karwa) operates Qatar's state-owned public transport network, providing end-to-end mobility solutions including public bus services (electric and CNG fleet, including Metrolink feeder routes to Doha Metro and MetroExpress on-demand service), Karwa Taxi and Doha Limousine services (economy, standard, VIP, luxury, and electric Audi E-Tron tiers), and bespoke school, corporate, tourism, and event transport. Supporting digital channels include the Karwa Taxi App, Karwa Journey Planner App, call center, and Uber integration; Karwa Academy provides professional driving and safety training.

Product overview

Mowasalat (Karwa) is Qatar's state-owned public transport company offering end-to-end mobility solutions under the Karwa brand. The portfolio includes taxi and limousine services (Karwa Taxi, Doha Limousine), public bus services (Karwa Bus), Metrolink feeder routes, MetroExpress on-demand services, and school/corporate/event transportation. Digital products include the Karwa Taxi App and Karwa Journey Planner for trip planning and booking. The company has launched an autonomous RoboTaxi pilot service in partnership with Pony.ai. Karwa Academy provides professional driving and safety training. Services operate 24/7 with a fleet transitioning to electric vehicles targeting full EV deployment by 2030.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Karwa Academy: Professional driving and safety training institution offering defensive driving courses, emergency response training, dangerous goods transport (ADR) certification, and specialized training programs. Formerly known as Karwa Driving School.
• Doha Limousine
• Metrolink

Products and services

• Karwa Taxi

Quantifiable outcome

• 921,385+ fans transported during Qatar 2022 World Cup
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• TASMU AcceleratorminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026TASMU Accelerator, part of Qatar's Smart Qatar initiative, selected five proof-of-concept projects from four startups for smart mobility pilots with Mowasalat. Projects will be tested for operational impact and digital transformation.
• OoredoocoreTechnology or Integration · 25 October 2025Strategic agreement between Ooredoo and Mowasalat (Karwa) to modernize Qatar's public transport through advanced digital infrastructure. Partnership involves cloud services, IoT integration, passenger Wi-Fi, and other digital enhancements to improve operational efficiency and passenger experience.
• Pony.aicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2025Partnership with Chinese autonomous driving company Pony.ai to deploy self-driving robotaxis across Qatar. Mowasalat launched Qatar's first RoboTaxi service in December 2025 with Pony.ai technology. The partnership aims to bring autonomous vehicle technology to Qatar's transport network.
• ComfortDelGrominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2025Pony.ai's partner in Singapore for autonomous ride-hailing deployment in Punggol district. Mowasalat mentioned in context of Pony.ai's parallel expansion into Qatar through Mowasalat Karwa.
• IRU (International Road Transport Union)minorOthers · 3 June 2024International organization partner for driving standards and training. IRU is shown as a certification/affiliation on the Mowasalat website footer.
• ROSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)minorOthers · 3 June 2024UK-based safety organization. ROSPA is shown as a certification/affiliation on the Mowasalat website footer, indicating alignment with road safety standards.
• UbercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 May 2024Strategic partnership to integrate Karwa Taxi services into the Uber app. This allows users to request Karwa taxis directly through the Uber platform, enhancing mobility options for residents and tourists in Qatar. The partnership also includes introducing electric limousines under Uber Black category.
• Al-Ijarah Driving AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 May 2024Memorandum of understanding with Al-Ijarah Driving Academy to launch 'Train the Trainer' program. Extends professional learning for driving instructors covering customer service, defensive driving techniques, road safety, traffic systems, and vehicle maintenance.
• YutongcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2024Partnership with Chinese bus manufacturer Yutong for electric bus operations and autonomous bus trials. Groundbreaking ceremony held for electric bus assembly plant in Umm Al Houl Free Zone. Yutong is the partner for autonomous electric bus testing at Lusail depot.
• King Khalid (Kenkart)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2022Technology partner for successful integration of Hayya card for use in public buses during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The innovative system enabled smooth transportation for over 921,385 fans.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SAPTCO (Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company): State-owned public transport operator in Saudi Arabia providing intercity bus, urban transit, and taxi/limousine services. Most directly comparable to Mowasalat as a government-mandated national multi-modal transport provider in a neighboring Gulf market.
• Dubai Taxi Corporation: Dubai's state-owned taxi operator under RTA, offering taxi, limousine, and corporate/event transport with a large fleet. Comparable to Mowasalat's Karwa Taxi and Doha Limousine services and similar government-backed positioning in the UAE.
• ComfortDelGro: Singapore-listed multi-modal mobility operator spanning taxis, buses, and rail across multiple countries. Comparable business model to Mowasalat's diversified bus + taxi + limo portfolio and noted as Pony.ai's autonomous deployment partner in Singapore.
• Uber Technologies: Global ride-hailing and mobility platform; also a Mowasalat partner via Karwa Taxi integration on Uber app in Qatar. Comparable as a competing taxi dispatch platform and a potential channel for Mowasalat's fleet.

Broad incumbents

• RATP Dev: Subsidiary of Paris's RATP Group operating urban transit, buses, and trams worldwide. Comparable to Mowasalat as a large incumbent public transport operator, though RATP Dev is part of a much broader European portfolio.
• Keolis: Global public transport operator (SNCF and CDPQ-owned) running bus, tram, metro, and paratransit services across multiple continents. Overlaps with Mowasalat's multi-modal bus and on-demand service portfolio.
• Transdev: French-headquartered global mobility operator providing transit, bus, coach, and on-demand ride services. Comparable scope to Mowasalat in operating integrated public transport networks at municipal and regional level.
• National Express Group: UK-listed coach, bus, and school transport operator with significant UK and international operations. Comparable to Mowasalat's school, intercity, and corporate bus segments.
• FirstGroup: UK-based transport operator running buses, coaches, and rail services in the UK and North America. Comparable to Mowasalat's diversified bus and contracted transport model, particularly school and corporate contracts.

Emerging players

• Pony.ai: Chinese autonomous driving company deploying robotaxi services globally, and Mowasalat's technology partner for Qatar's first RoboTaxi (December 2025). Comparable as a peer in the autonomous public-mobility category Mowasalat is now entering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Mowasalat_QAT
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MowasalatQatar
• Facebookfacebook.com/MowasalatQatar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mowasalat
• Instagraminstagram.com/mowasalatqatar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mowasalat