Dubai (United Arab Emirates): The Public Transport Agency at Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) announced the arrival of 476 new buses, including standard buses, articulated buses and double-decker buses procured by the RTA. This delivery is part of a deal made by the RTA to procure 620 buses comprising of 150 standard buses, 300 articulated buses and 170 double-decker buses.

Commenting on the news, Essa Abdul-Rahman Al-Dossari, CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency, said: “This step comes in the context of an integrated strategy developed by the RTA to improve mass transit modes in the emirate aiming to entice new commuters, in an effort to reduce road traffic congestions. Through providing highly advanced, safe and comfortable buses with wide geographical coverage, RTA is seeking to raise the percentage of trips made by mass transit modes to 30% by 2020, and enhance the integration of public transport modes, including Dubai Metro, marine transport and others.

“The new batch of buses, which have been registered with the concerned departments and received by Maintenance & Services Dep’t at Public Transport Agency, includes 450 vehicles consisting of 150 standard buses, 225 articulated buses and 24 double-deck buses. Maintenance & Services Dep’t is currently engaged in inspecting and checking 39 standard, articulated and double-deck buses before being registered and commissioned in service.

“The new buses are fitted with the latest technological features and highest security & safety standards. Moreover, they have been designed to meet the requirements of special need persons, with low beds to fit the needs of this category. The entrance of the second door of the articulated buses is fitted with anti-slippery floor to ensure smooth boarding and alighting of the disabled. The entrance directly leads to the compartment made for wheel chairs of the disabled and prams.

“They are also fitted with sophisticated systems & technologies devices such as the audio announcement of the next bus stop / stop name, a statistical system to compute the commuters that also automatically reflect the demand on various bus routes, and a bus positioning system linked to the Control Center at the Agency.

“The new buses are fitted with large display monitors (240×1900mm) mounted to the front side of the bus, enabling passengers a clear and distant view of bus destination, route and line number. There are also 3 monitors to the left-hand, right-hand and back sides of the bus (190×1100mm) displaying bus destination, route and line number in Arabic & English. There is also internal display monitors at the backside of the driver’s seat and behind the second & third doors of articulated buses to display bus stops, route and line number.

“RTA has developed a plan to upgrade public transport buses covering procurement of 620 buses at a cost exceeding one billion dirham. Delivery started last year and continues through this year. Arrival of these buses coincides with the ongoing efforts of the RTA to construct air-conditioned bus shelters in more than 500 locations, with a view to provide comfort and superb service to bus commuters through protecting them from the hot weather during summer time.

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