40 minivans to be added to Abu Dhabi bus fleet on October 11
40 minivans that can seat 17 passengers will be introduced from October 11
ublic bus services in Abu Dhabi are set for a massive overhaul with the addition of 327 buses to the fleet, transport officials said yesterday.
In the first phase, 40 minivans will be introduced by the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) to serve neighbourhoods starting from October 11.
By the end of 2020, Dh473 million will be spent on expanding the fleet.
The announcement comes on the heels of the decision last month to introduce road tolls in the capital from October 15. While those using private vehicles will have to pay road tolls when crossing any of the four bridges connecting Abu Dhabi island to the mainland, bus commuters will remain exempt.
“We will increase daily services; 147 bus trips will be added to the bus network on the main bridges connecting Abu Dhabi Island,” Ateeq Al Mazroui, operations director for public transport at the ITC, said. “Of these, 124 trips will be added during peak hours.”
Al Mazroui told Gulf News on the sidelines of a press conference that there are currently 304 buses serving the capital, travelling on 77 routes. More
routes will be added as soon as the 40 new buses — 17-seater Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans — join the fleet in October.
The buses will be able to accommodate special needs passengers. The buses are equipped with top-up machines, a lift system for wheelchairs, and USB charging ports.
In Al Ain, 20 similar public buses will be introduced. The ITC currently operates 22 bus routes in Al Ain.
The ITC is also planning to set up 250 more air-conditioned bus shelters across the emirate over the next two years. There are currently 235 such shelters, Al Mazroui said.
No change in fares
“Despite these many upgrades, there are no plans to change bus fares. In fact, we are planning to implement a system so that passengers who need to take more than one bus to their destination do not have to pay the Dh2 bus boarding fee twice, as long as they board the second bus within an hour of alighting from the first,” the official added.
At present, bus fares remain very affordable, with trips within the city charged at Dh2 only, and trips to the suburbs charged at Dh2, plus 0.5 fils for every kilometre. So a trip from the capital city to Mussaffah costs only about Dh6.