Emirates Transport to provide buses for gas firm

Emirates Transport signed an agreement with the Abu Dhabi Gas Co (Atheer) yesterday to deliver 10 new buses and said it will seal more such contracts this year. Atheer will use the buses for staff transport.

"The company is in discussions with many parties for the supply of buses and agreements will be finalised this year," General Manager Saeed Mohammed Al Sharid said yesterday. Capitalised at Dh105 million, government-owned Emirates Transport has a fleet of 2,500 buses. Fleet expansion will depend on contracts secured, Al Sharid said.

Headquartered in Dubai, Emirates Transport has experienced "satisfactory" growth since it was set up in 1981. A majority of its buses are under contract to the Ministry of Education, which pays Dh87 million per year for the services of Emirates Transport.

Atheer's contract begins in October and the agreement has an optional fifth year. Furthermore, the contract includes an option for two more new large buses to be put into service in 2003 to cater to the continuing growth planned at Atheer's Habshan Gas Processing plant.