Abu Dhabi: Air-conditioned bus shelters made their debut in the capital after they were launched by transport officials.
Twenty new shelters were commissioned on Wednesday and will provide a convenient way for the public to wait for buses, especially in the summer.
These are the first batch of shelters planned across the city. The emirate plans to have 550 similar shelters, said Saeed Al Hameli, general manager of the Bus Office at the Department of Transport (DoT).
"The opening of the 20 air-conditioned bus shelters are part of... phase one of the project. By [the] end of September, we hope to deliver 80 shelters more.
"The project comprises six phases, at the end of which the Abu Dhabi emirate would have 550 of these new shelters," Al Hameli said.
"The cost of putting up the 550 shelters is about Dh100 million. We hope to complete the project by the first quarter of 2011," he added.
The completed shelters are located on Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum street, Old Airport Road, Al Dhafra Base, Hadbat Al Zafaran, Al Reehan, and Zayed Sport City.
The bus shelters maintain comfortable temperatures between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius for commuters.
They are designed to provide seating for eight people and have an electronic bus ticketing system.
There is also room for one wheelchair user and at eight standing people.
Fact fileAt least 115 buses are currently in service, with 50 more buses set to arrive by end of next month. Up to 65,000 people use Abu Dhabi city buses daily.
Some 500 city buses and coaches will in service by end of 2009, and 80 new air-conditioned bus shelters by end of September.
Some 550 air-conditioned bus shelters planned by 2011. The renovation of 12 bus stations and development of 25 new bus stations are ongoing.
Six bus depots being created. n Contact toll free number 800 55555 for all route information About the shelter Specific design features include: Double-layer insulated aluminium composite rear panels, roof made of 15mm thick aluminium honeycomb panels and special heat protective glazing, and installed air-conditioning units to maintain temperatures of 22C during mornings and evenings.
Will this encourage more people to ride the bus during the summer? What more could be done to motivate people into using public transportation?
Your comments
This is a very good project for the people who are going to wait for the bus, the only thing that is annoying is the Musaffah bus 701 which doesn't have an AC- it is already SUMMER time AND THE HUMIDITY IS REALLY HIGH- can you please do something about this? if during the month of november until february where there weather is fine it is okay to use that bus WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING to consume energy but this time????? please..... HAVE A LOOK ON THIS IMPT ISSUE. PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING. THANK YOU
Yolly O. Borromeo
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 17:10
It is a good move to erect ac shelters for the use of commuters.But the public transport buses operated between Abu Dhabi and Mafraq are operating without a/c in this hot summer causing immense discomfort for the passangers.So I request the authority to kindly look in to this matter and provide a better bus service.
Abdul Rauf
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 15:53
I think its a great idea to offer users of public transport the comfort that they need, however I also think having so many shelters of this kind will add to the ever increasing carbon footprint .
Mo
London,UK
Posted: July 02, 2009, 15:09
it is really a good move from the DoT. I am a regular user of public transport and I feel it is quite discomfortable to stay in bus stations in the summer.Thanks to DoT.
Suraj
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 12:56
It always seems worthwhile when your provide comfort to those who fall under majority. These kinds of Bus shelters not only boost the effency level of travellers but also give a great look to the motorist.
Must say A Great Job by DOT.Keep it up....
Shahzad Khurshedi
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: July 02, 2009, 12:50
Good Decision it is a big refuge for a summer season .
Abnas
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 12:03
We should be very gratefull for this the only thing I'm afraid to happen that people will use these shelters for other uses
Wafed
Abu Dhabi,U.A.E.
Posted: July 02, 2009, 11:27
Airconditioned bus stops should be given a second priority. The first priority, the authority concerned to construct more pedestrian underpasses / overbridges all over the busy areas of the city to minimise un-authosed crossings
Joseph Thomas
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 11:22
this is a humanitarian step for people,those walking in summer could only know about the heat. these shelters could be helpful to use buses but the main thing which could instigates people to use buses are only timings and quantity.if the buses reach on time to bus stop and their waiting time is short than only people can use the buses.
Shahzad Shaikh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 11:06
This is very good service specialy for people who don't have a car.i thank full to Goverment of Abu Dhabi who take care of people staying in the country.
Zafar Iqbal
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 10:28
Good move by ADT providing Air conditioned shelters. same time we look forward to see
1. Increase frequecy of trips during peak hours
2. Buses size should be adjusted by stiching two buses together
3.The deparment can use buses with double decker buses and more seating capacity.
finally maintaining on time ...
C. Subrahmanyam
Abudhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 10:10
Frequency to be increased on peak times,no crowding allowed.
JS
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 09:55
This is indeed a gift to the people of this nation as the AC shelters will encourage more commutors usage of buses. i would like to congratulate the authorities on this initiative and we as residents will support and utilise the same in a proper and good manner. Introducing more buses to other areas of abu dhabi would be another treat to the residents.
Hats of to the authorities.
Thanks
John Dias Felix
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 09:46
congrtulations, and well done.
people like us were dreadming these facilities long time.
many more ac bus stops and buses
required to fulfill the requirements.
mabrook..
Ramachandran Madathil
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 09:20
Good Decision
May Allah Shower his Blessing and Kindness on this Country Because they are leaving in Palaces and they have AC Cars and Etc, but they never forget the Poor people. Always they are thinking for US
Jazak Allah
Faraz
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 08:35
It is a good and great thing of DOT,especially for summer, Passengers are suuffering a lot,after getting air conditioned shelters they would be relieved. Like this shelters and bus service should be extended to mussaffah and baniyas area also.
M A Mannan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 08:01
UAE is always doing its best to facilitate the people.
Syed Zohaib
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 07:59
Air Conditioned bus shelters are good for the common man in this soaring summer heat . But the DOT should have to do first for airconditioning the public transport buses connecting the capital city to suburban areas, and each travel in these buses are difficult journey both for the passangers and drivers.
Mohammad Rissa
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 07:42
Good move in trasport system by providing Air conditioned shelters. At the same time the following may be considered to motivate people into using public transportation.
1. Increase frequecy of trips during peak hours (say between 7am to 8am and 5pm to 7pm on working days.
2. Buses should be maintained. Now most of buses stop switch is not working. The bars are broken. Standing passengers are facing difficult to travel.
3.The deparment may introduce buses with double decker buses and more seating capacity.
If the public are happy with services sure the people will start using more such good cause Government Services.
G. Ramasubramaniam
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 07:33
This is indeed a blessing for many who use the busses every day. The heat is terrible and this will come as a relief to them
Hans
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 07:23
yes ,it is a big refuge for a summer season .
and please put additonal busses on peak hours , especially in the morning where cummuters line up and pushes each other to get a ride.
thank you.
Tony Romero
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 05:49
I am really happy to read about a/c units opening in abu dhabi bus stands.being a resident of dubai i have noticed that people missuse the comforts.many people leave the papers,bottles,wrappers in the a/c bus stand.i think we all should thanks and respect the uae government who not only think for his people but for the expats and all commuters and providing us the facilities.how far is the dustbin from the stand that v cannot throw the waste in that.we should respect the environment
Arti Bhatia
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2009, 05:34
