Dubai: Three new Dubai public bus routes start operating from Monday, coinciding with the Eid break, authorities said.
The Public Transport Agency (PTA) of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will launch the new routes to feed Metro stations and boost the public bus network to meet the rising demand for mass transit needs.
Eisa Al Hashemi, PTA’s director of planning and business development, said the routes will start from Al Nahda, Stadium Metro, and Dubai Mall stations.
“The new Route (F23) is a Metro station feeder service that starts from Al Nahda and heads towards International City with a service frequency of eight, 10 and 15 minutes during peak times, using double decker buses directed from Al Aweer bus depot,” he said.
“The second Route (23) starts from the Stadium Metro station and heads towards Al Nahda station with a service frequency of 20 minutes during peak times using double decker buses directed from Al Aweer bus depot.
“The third Route (28) starts from Dubai Mall and heads to Lamcy Plaza with a service frequency of 20 minutes during peak times using standard buses directed from Al Ruwayya bus depot.”
He added: “Timetables of routes F46, F48, 43, 367, and F12 will be revised on Saturdays, routes 4, 11A, 44, 365, 366, F3, F5, F10 will be modified to include Rashidiya Metro station, and Routes E307, 88, C19, 22 will be modified to include Deira City Centre Metro station.
“Route F53 at the Industrial City will be extended to Workers Village, the path of the Route F22 will be modified at Al Nahda, Route 22 will be served by double decker buses, and Routes F42 and 42 will be abolished.”
He said public buses are key in meeting passenger demand and reducing pollution.
“This will bring about positive impacts on the traffic movement and the cleanliness of the environment as the increased ridership of public transport will ease traffic congestion, curb accidents, raise traffic safety awareness levels, and considerably minimise the environmental pollution caused by the massive numbers of vehicles on the roads,” Al Hashemi added.
During the first half of this year, public bus ridership soared to 67.5 million riders compared with 59.1 million riders during the same period last year.
Likewise, public bus occupancy improved by eight per cent to 42.6 per cent, and the waiting time of the Metro feeder services as well as all public buses was reduced to seven minutes.
