Travelling in buses to become hassle-free

Dubai: Travelling in public buses will be hassle-free in the near future as a new computerised passenger information system and journey planner will be launched, which will help in planning a trip.

Khalid Hashim, Director of Planning and Business Development at the Public Transport Agency of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said that the new computerised information system would provide real time information to passengers about bus timings at bus stops and inside buses.

Journey planner

It will cover arrival and departure times, incidents, congestion, news and advertisement on electronic screens at bus stops and inside buses. "We are also working on launching a journey planner, which will enable commuters to plan their journey from home or office," said Hashim.

Journey planner will tell commuters about the time at which a bus will arrive at a particular bus stop and what connections are available to complete the trip from home to office or anywhere else.

Complete solution

Access to journey planner information for commuters will be available via a phone call to an automated speech dialogue system and also through a call centre, via internet and fax.

"The new system will provide a complete solution to plan a journey in Dubai by using public transport," he added.

Commuters will also be able to buy smart cards from vending machines which will be installed at airconditioned bus stops.

Challenges the RTA faces in developing public transport:

• Discouraging the use of cars, which is a status symbol
• Encouraging the public to use public transport system
• Providing special needs passengers access to transport
• Changing travelling habits and making people accept mass transit system
• Providing safe, reliable and affordable public transport
• Raising public awareness of alternatives to car use
• Enacting legislation and regulations to reduce congestion and traffic pollution and
• Improve environment schedule

Electronic screens

• Commuters will be able to plan a trip by using the Real Time Information System for public transport buses.
• It will provide information about the arrival and departure times of buses on electronic screens installed at bus stops and inside buses.
• It will also tell about the bus stops and route of the buses.
• In addition, passengers will be updated about latest news, traffic congestion and any delays.
• The Journey Planner system is also being introduced for the bus users. It will help plan journey from or to any place of interest by taking information via phone, fax and internet