Dubai: Dubai’s urban and intercity bus fleet will get a boost of 316 new buses next year, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Saturday.
Being procured at a cost of Dh465 million, the new buses will include 143 deluxe intercity coaches, 79 double-deckers and 94 medium-sized urban buses.
Complying with the European emission standards, featuring Euro 5 and Euro 6 engines for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, the new buses will expand the RTA’s fleet to 2,085 by 2019.
“The procurement of the new buses is part of a master plan set out to upgrade mass transit systems in Dubai and keep them aligned with the best global practices. The plan also calls for providing best-in-class services to mass transit users and keeping abreast of the sustained growth of ridership of these modes,” said Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the Board of Executive Directors and director-general of RTA.
He added that the initiative is part of the efforts to make public transport the ideal mobility choice of people and push the share of public transport in the city’s mobility to as much as 30 per cent by 2030.
“Achieving such objectives requires offering high-quality public transport options at affordable rates in a wide geographical coverage. It also requires raising the public awareness, transforming the culture of using mass transit means, and boosting the integration of all public transport means including buses, metro, tram, taxis and marine transit modes,” he said.
According to Al Tayer, Euro 5 and Euro 6 buses will contribute to RTA’s effort to conserve the environment, optimise the use of energy and reduce the carbon footprint.
“These buses are characterised by low-floor access to ease the boarding of people of determination, top-notch services for public transport riders, high-end interior finishing and roomy seats. They also boast of dedicated seats for children, WiFi service, and USB portals for charging smartphones as well as smart connectivity,” said Al Tayer.
Volvo will supply the 143 deluxe coaches, which will be deployed to cope with the expansion of intercity bus service to Abu Dhabi and northern cities. Each deluxe bus can accommodate 55 riders and has an automated hydraulic lift for serving people of determination.
These coaches will also offer free internet service, USB portals for charging mobile phones, footrest, and cup holder to provide added convenience to riders.
The 79 double-deckers will be supplied by MAN Truck & Bus, serving urban areas with high-density ridership, in addition to 94 medium-size OPTARE buses to serve new communities with the aim of widening the geographical coverage in Dubai and improving occupancy rates.
The double-deckers can accommodate 100 riders and is also equipped with free internet service and USB portals for charging mobile phones.
These buses boast of modern design offering improved accessibility between decks, streamlined internal passenger movement, and customised design to serve people of determination.
The mid-sized OPTARE buses are marking their debut in RTA’s bus fleet. The buses intended to offer a wider coverage of internal areas which are not easily accessible to large buses. Each bus can accommodate 33 riders, and is fitted with free internet service and USB portals for charging mobile phones as well as convenient deluxe seats.
