Cheap inter-emirate bus service is launched

Emirates Express, a joint public transport venture by Dubai and Abu Dhabi Municipalities, was launched yesterday in an effort to provide luxurious but cheap public transport.

The bus service, which is the first of its kind, is a milestone achievement, as it will gradually pave the way for the service to be expanded to other emirates, linking all cities in the UAE.

“The main objective of this new bus service is to provide easy and low cost transport and to encourage people to limit the use of cars,” said Abdul Aziz Malek, Director of the public transport department, Dubai Municipality.

Officials from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi flagged off the new bus service yesterday at Al Ghubaibah Bus Station.

They distributed meal boxes and gifts among the passengers using the inaugural bus.

The one-way fare from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is Dh15, the cheapest of all other modes of transport — including sharing taxis.

Some 15 buses, 8 provided by Dubai Municipality and 7 by Abu Dhabi Municipality, will operate initially, with the possibility of increasing the numbers if demand increases.

Buses will leave the main stations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi every 45 minutes and will cover the 150-km distance in two hours.

The first bus will leave Al Ghubaibah Bus Station in Dubai at 6am and the last one will leave the station at 9pm.

The first bus from Abu Dhabi’s main bus station will be at 6.30am and the last bus will leave the station at 9.30pm.

“The main aim of this project is to accomplish regulated and well-planned passenger flow to ensure easy transport movement for those who frequent this route, taking into consideration the importance of public safety and reducing pressure on the road networks,” Mohammad Mubarak Al Marar, Director of public transport department, Abu Dhabi Municipality, said.

The new service, he said, was the result of cooperation between the two municipalities.

Both civic bodies had contributed towards it, as officials from both municipalities were keen to provide a safe, economical, comfortable and eco-friendly means of public transport between the country’s different emirates.