RTA to add over 3,500 buses on Dubai roads

Dubai: Dubai will have more than 3,500 public buses by 2020 as part of the integrated comprehensive mass transport system, the chief of the city's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said.

on Sunday, Mattar Al Tayer announced the purchase of 1,616 new buses to add to the city's public transport system. Deemed as the single largest bus purchase deal in the world, Al Tayer said Dubai would have 2,500 buses plying on more than 100 routes by 2009.

Dubai, currently, has around 500 buses and 1,000 new buses, already purchased, are expected to join the fleet by next year.

Speaking at the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Congress of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) in Dubai yesterday, Al Tayer said the RTA aimed at increasing the use of mass transport from the current seven per cent to 30 per cent of the population by 2020 to reduce traffic congestion, pollution and provide people with alternative modes of transportation.

He said the RTA is working on plans to provide an integrated system of mass transit modes such as buses, marine transport, metro and trams. "We will ensure such modes have low operational cost and wide geographical coverage," he said.

Currently 1.4 million people live in Dubai over an area of 4,114 square kilometers. He said the massive expansion of public transport buses would guarantee serving passengers in all areas of Dubai.

He said the RTA is currently engaged in constructing 971 air-conditioned bus stop shelters in the city and is developing marine transport systems. The RTA has already launched the water bus service in Dubai Creek and it will launch ferry services by 2008 to be linked with Dubai Metro and public buses.

The first UITP MENA Congress in Dubai was attended by a large number of leading transport experts from the region and around the world.

Hans Rat, Secretary General of the UITP, said he appreciated Dubai's efforts to introduce integrated public transport systems.

Favourable

"The current period is very favourable for public transport. It is urgent to develop the quality and quantity of transport means offered to citizens in a situation when greenhouse gas emissions are growing, traffic congestion is increasing in all cities, energy prices are continuously rising and road accidents are a crucial issue in many countries," he said.

Dr Ali Abood, Executive Director of Government Sector Development Ministry, said the key challenges facing the countries of the region are mobility and traffic safety.

"The UAE is always keen to provide an integrated public transportation system, through continuous development for the roads network, the railways and the Metro," he said.