New bus route launched to create more efficient transportation system

Abu Dhabi: A new bus route linking Mina Zayed to Al Ras Al Akhdar Beach was launched on Wednesday, taking the total number to ten, a senior official said.

"Bus Six is part of the Department of Transport's plan to add new routes on Abu Dhabi island taking the total number to 14," said Saeed Al Hameli, the general manager of the public bus office at the Department of Transport.

Al Hameli added that the new route operates between Mina Zayed, the Indian Social and Culture Centre, Tourist Club (Abu Dhabi Mall), in addition to certain stops on Al Falah Street, Al Najda Street, Zayed The First Street, Airport Road, Corniche, arriving at Marina Mall and Ras Al Akhdar Beach.

"Six buses will run from 5am to midnight, making 104 trips a day. They operate on a 20 minute service frequency during peak hours [from 7am to 10pm] and on 40 minute frequency during other hours," he said.

Al Hameli expected the new route will ease pressure on other routes namely Five and Seven and help buses move smoothly, making services more accessible to new sections of residents.

The 32-seat buses accommodate 64 passengers each and are fitted with a wheelchair ramps and five closed-circuit television cameras.

The department plans to have 21 routes serving Abu Dhabi by the end of next year.

Al Hameli said the new routes, which have not been finalised, would help provide better connectivity through the network.

The department is looking at creating new links to the Al Bateen area and operate buses to and from Khalidiya Mall.

Al Hameli said the department also plans to enter within the blocks, within existing routes to make them more accessible.

It also plans to exchange old buses with new and for long journeys the department will make express route links to shorten them, distribute the crowds and provide more comfort to passengers.

Capacity

The buses carry about 85,000 passengers on the Abu Dhabi island daily, about 75 per cent of the network's capacity.

These numbers reach about 95 per cent of the bus network's capacity at peak hours. The department's target is carrying 150,000 passengers a day. Al Hameli said buses were becoming more and more popular mode of transportation for residents in Abu Dhabi, citing the growing number of people using the bus now from the Marina Mall to the Tourist Club Area.

"It has become better comfort than a car itself where you don't find parking," he said.

Deals were struck last year for MAN to provide 250 city buses and 150 coaches, while Mercedes provided 100 city buses. The first 25 MAN city buses are running on routes Seven and Five in Abu Dhabi, while 50 Mercedes buses are plying four routes in Al Ain.