New generation Al Ghubaiba Bus Station to cater to 15,000 a day
SIX BUILDINGS OFFERING 2,452 SQM OF OFFICE, RETAIL SPACE CAN CATER TO 15,000 PASSENGERS
Dubai’s bustling Al Ghubaiba bus station now has office space, customer service areas, retail outlets and restaurants over an area of 2,452 square metres, in addition to 50 parking slots for buses and 48 parking slots for cars.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, yesterday inaugurated the new generation bus station and reviewed several initiatives by the Roads and Transport Authority ( RTA) to improve public transport in Dubai.
Shaikh Hamdan toured the bus station which is integrated with public transport means, including Metro, marine transport and taxis. It nowhas a stand for 34 taxis and 60 docking stations for bicycles. It can handle up to 15,000 passengers a day.
It comprises six buildings designed to be environmentally-sustainable and also meets the needs of people of determination, the RTA said.
Expo 2020 projects
The RTA is upgrading other bus stations to serve Expo 2020 visitors. The plan features upgrading 17 stations/ stops in Al Ghubaiba, Al Jafiliya and Union Station as well as the bus station at Etisalat metro station.
The RTA will deploy 614 buses and open 23 bus routes and six temporary stops for Expo visitors. Two of the bus stops are located in Dubai Silicon Oasis and International City. The other four are in Dubai Maritime City, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay 1 and Meydan.
Mobility Hub model
Shaikh Hamdan was also briefed about the Mobility Hub model that offers public transport, logistics, cycling facilities and vehicles support services. It encompasses a wide range of transit means that include shared bikes and vehicles, scooters, buses on- demand, autonomous transport and individual mobility means.
Shared transportation in Dubai was also discussed, including Hala ride- hailing, a joint venture between the RTA and Careem with 5,500 vehicles as well as the smart car rental initiative with 400 registered vehicles deployed by Udrive and Ekar.
The initial phase of Careem Bike service that has about 780 bikes offered at 78 docking stations was also reviewed.
Shaikh Hamdan also reviewed an initiative to support youth projects as part of which RTA will offer two free spaces to small enterprises managed by Emiratis in collaboration with Mohammad Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development.