International City commuters appeal for covered bus stops

RTA PLANS TO INSTALL SHELTERS IN DUBAI COMMUNITY THAT IS HOME TO 60,000 RESIDENTS

I nternational City commuters said they suffer in the heat and sometimes fall sick due to the lack of bus shelters in the area. International City is home to some 60,000 residents, a substantial number of whom commute to work using the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) buses.

But the unforgiving summer heat has been their biggest concern of late, especially when the mercury hits past high 40s and they are out in the sun waiting for the public transport.

“We know how hot summers can get here in the UAE. Whenever we’re waiting for the bus at the open bus stop, it feels like we’re inside the oven or inside the fryer, seriously,” Maja Gatdula, a customer service officer, told Gulf News. “My asthma attacks have worsened recently due to the heat. The worst was during Ramadan. But I’m glad that’s over.”

There are eight bus routes serving the International City but no covered bus shelters.

“Having a covered and airconditioned bus stop will help us a lot just like other parts of the city,” Gatdula said.

Nigerian expatriate Ann E., who works in a hotel, said: “It’s really hard to wait for a bus in such a hot weather. Sometimes if I miss the bus, it takes another 20 minutes for the next one to arrive. I do have an umbrella but it doesn’t really help. If we get a covered bus shelter, it will be very nice,” the expat said.

Some residents stand under some trees and just run to the bus stop when the bus arrives. But not everyone can do that as there is limited space in the bus, they said.

Dennis U., who works in a telecom company, said: “When you stand in the heat for long you feel feverish and after that once you enter an air-conditioned bus, you may fall sick.”

Joint effort with Nakheel

When asked for a comment, a RTA spokesperson said the authority has initiated a plan to install bus shelters at the International City in coordination with Nakheel. The spokesperson said that their plan is to provide shelters at most of the bus stops in the area subject to availability of the suitable infrastructure by Nakheel. “It will allow us to provide best services to our valuable customers.”

The spokesperson said RTA has a plan to start implementing the second phase of the bus shelters by the fourth quarter of this year.

Clint Egbert/Gulf News There are eight bus routes serving International City, but no covered bus shelters. Commuters with respiratory problems are most affected by having to wait for a bus in the heat and dust.