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Dubai: I hurried my way towards a gleaming orange bus that stood a little further away from the departure area at Sharjah International Airport.
Click here to have look at the new Sharjah bus route
"Is this bus number 14," I asked the driver. "Ma bakllam inglizi" (I cannot speak in English), came the reply.
Video: Click here to watch Sharjah's new bus service
"Let me handle this," said a man standing next to me. "Ayy Jarida" (which newspaper), asked the bus conductor looking at me.
Taking into consideration the mutual language problem, I pointed at my Gulf News press card hanging from my neck.
Language barrier
The sun was beating down hard. I looked at my wristwatch, the time was 11.30am. "This is bus number 14 and it will leave in five minutes," said the man beside me, who gave his name as Ahmad.
We both hopped onboard. A handful of people were seated but as the bus started moving, three more people joined and we were on a bus ride on board the much talked about bus number 14 in Sharjah.
I took my seat near a notice that read 'Women only'.
The bus was equipped with the latest technology such as automated fare collection with smart card technology, and a seating capacity for 49 passengers. Instructions like not to talk to the driver or no smoking was pasted above the driver in English.
It required little or no persuasion for passengers onboard to talk on what they thought of the bus service.
"A bus service was very essential in Sharjah. But I just wish they had recruited drivers and conductors who are mutli-lingual. It is very difficult to speak to them," said Dilip Parekh, who was travelling to Al Rolla.
As I was moving away, he tapped on my shoulder and asked: "Hope that I won't get into any trouble talking to the media."
I assured him otherwise and moved on to Mathew, who was trying to catch my attention. "The frequency of the bus service needs to be increased. It's summer time and we have to wait for hours. There are no covered bus stops," he said.
The bus had stopped twice and another half dozen passengers, mostly labourers, joined us.
Looking at the press tag hanging from my neck one of them asked "Which newspaper do you belong to?" "Gulf News," I said. He looked disappointed. "English nahi malum, mushkil hai" (I don't know English, it's difficult).
A ticket inspector boarded the bus after a while. He got off at the next bus stop. The bus was getting stuffy as quite a number of passengers were now standing.
I was the only woman onboard. It was not rocket science for me to figure out as to why passengers preferred standing near to where I was seated.
Sensing my discomfort, the driver brought the bus to a halt and instructed all of them to move back a little.
I could hear streaming Bollywood music from the mobile of a young passenger. A couple of passengers had fallen asleep while those standing next to me kept staring at me.
"Where are you getting off," I asked one of them. "At King Faisal Road," he replied, smiling ear to ear. When I told him that we had already crossed it, his smile gave way to concern and he started pleading the driver to stop the bus.
It was 1.15pm and we still have not reached Al Rolla, the last bus stop. "The bus gets held up because of the traffic or else we could have arrived much earlier," said a fellow passenger.
It was almost 2pm when I finally said goodbye to the driver on reaching Al Rolla, two and half hours after I boarded the bus.
Plans for passengers
--The service is implemented and supervised by the Sharjah Public Transport Corporation and KGL passenger transport services.
- It is expected to be launched soon.
- Bus no. 14 operates as a test run.
- The service will have 18 routes.
- About 120 buses will operate.
- The buses will be equipped with automated vehicle location system, and passenger information displays.
- It will have a dedicated website and real time passenger information via SMS once launched.
Have you travelled by the newly introduced Sharjah bus? How was the experience? Do you think the mass transport systems are adequate for the increasing population in the UAE? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.
Your comments
As a woman, I would NEVER board a bus in the United Arab Emirates. I've heard of many cases of molestation. I rather pay extra and take taxis.
Jessica
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 16, 2008, 11:58
Great report Sunita Menon, I wanted to go with the bus, 3 busses passed by and non stopped so I gave up and walked instead. (Why wait for 1 hr when you can reach your goal by foot in that time).
Maryam
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 16, 2008, 11:39
They are loading too much passengers and unfortunately I had a bad experience like rustic men. I suggest not standing near to women seats.
Jen
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 16, 2008, 11:12
I travelled once in that bus. I got into the bus from Choithram super market in King Faisal road. I told the conductor I need to get down on King Faisal Mosque (Saudi Mosque), I gave 5 DHs to him, he gave ticket for 3.5 DHS and gave 1 DHS back and told me that he does not have 50 fils. For minimum distance they are taking 3.5 DHS. The rate is high compared to Dubai bus.
Peer
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 16, 2008, 10:41
They should solve the traffic problems 1st before starting bus service. All the present road projects are poorly planned and is causing more problems.
Saqeer
DUBAI,UAE
Posted: July 16, 2008, 10:36
Why is the bus services provided? to ease traffic or to make it even worse, This step is in no way going to help....only worsen traffic, kill time and much more. Why can?t the water bodies be used?
Sibi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 16, 2008, 10:17
The transportation problem in UAE is an entity which is discussed frequently without providing much practical solutions. People are spending their leisure time on the roads. Middle income group is buying cars not as the part of luxury but as a necessity since the travel between home and workplace is really a disaster because of the non-availability of the so called public transports. After a work day, standing exhausted in long queue and trying to have the glimpse of a RTA bus in order to try your luck of getting a seat is not that much pleasant experience, especially during summer. I think the RTA can provide much more services like double ducker buses.
Ravi
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 16, 2008, 10:09
I am residing in Al Wahda, Sharjah. I noticed everyday that it is really hard to find a taxi in that area especially going to Dubai. It is possible that you set up one bus station going to Dubai from Al Wahda
Melanie
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 16, 2008, 09:56
I was stuck on the King Faisal road traffic a few days back and saw one of these buses besides me, literally overflowing with people; it looked like sardines packed in a tin can. I fear in this heat and lack of proper ventilation, it could be rather suffocating. Also most of these buses seem to be packed by men, making it a little difficult for women to actually travel by these.
Dr. Hazel
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 16, 2008, 08:56
Thanks for the map, as many of us are still wondering when and where does the bus stop? The authorities need to publicize this as no one knows the details of the route.
Kapil
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 16, 2008, 08:04
All drivers should be trained, polite and English speaking persons. Routs are showing nicely inside the bus but there no information in public places. There is no awareness for public
John
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 16, 2008, 07:45
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