Dubai: Roads officials are making it easier for commuters to connect their bus journey with the newly opened Dubai Tram service in new Dubai.
Bus routes running along the tramway have been realigned to integrate with the mass transit system and serve commuters better, a senior Roads Transport Authority (RTA) official said.
Dozens of buses operating on six routes will connect with different tram stations, offering a smooth onward journey to commuters.
“This is part of our integrated model of transport where one mode feeds the other and complements each other. Our idea is to make all means available for commuters so that they can choose whatever is convenient for them,” said Mohammad Al Ali, Director of Buses at RTA’s Public Transport Agency.
Route 8, which runs between Jebel Ali and Gold Souq, has been redesigned to link with six tram stations including Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) 1 and 2, Mina Al Seyahi, Media City, Knowledge Village as well Al Sufouh. Route 8 will have a headway of eight minutes.
Route 84, which operates between Al Khail Gate in Al Quoz and Dubai Marina, also connects with the above six stations, but runs every 20 minutes.
However, Feader Route F37 which used to run almost parallel with the Dubai Tram route inside Dubai Marina has been cancelled.
“With the tram now operational, people would prefer the tram over buses and it will feed the Dubai Metro at two locations. So there is no point running the feeder bus that will also cover the same areas the trams will cover,” added Al Ali.
Dubai Tram began passenger service on November 12, with 11 trams and 11 stations serving Dubai Marina, JBR and Al Sufouh.
Route 88 which ran between Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Garhoud, will now terminate at Dubai Internet City Metro station, while serving Al Sufouh and Knowledge Village tram stations.
Starting from Media City, Route X28 will also serve Al Sufouh and Knowledge Village tram stations, and will also terminate at Dubai Internet City Metro station.
Route 88 and X28 will have a frequency of 15 minutes.
“With buses connecting various tram stations regularly the average waiting time for commuters will be between two and six minutes,” said Al Ali.
The other two routes that also feed the tramway are Routes 83 and 85 at Knowledge Village station. Route 83 links the Dubai Media City, Knowledge Village and Dubai Marina areas with Al Ghubaiba, passing through a number of neighbourhoods, while Route 85 links the same areas with Discovery Gardens.
Route 83 will run every 15 minutes and Route 85 every 20 minutes.
The tramway links with Dubai Metro at Dubai Marina and JLT stations, offering full integration of various modes of transport.
