316 buses to join RTA fleet next year

143 DELUXE, 79 DOUBLE-DECKER, 94 BUSES OF MEDIUM SIZE TO BOOST PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Dubai’s urban and intercity bus fleet will get a boost of 316 new buses next year, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced yesterday.

Being procured at a cost of Dh465 million, the new buses will include 143 deluxe intercity coaches, 79 doubledeckers and 94 mediumsized urban buses.

Complying with the European emission standards, featuring Euro 5 and Euro 6 engines for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, the new buses will expand the RTA’s fleet to 2,085 by 2019.

“The procurement of the new buses is part of a master plan set out to upgrade mass transit systems in Dubai and keep them aligned with the best global practices. The plan also calls for providing bestin-class services to mass transit users and keeping abreast of the sustained growth of ridership of these modes,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA.

He added the initiative is part of the efforts to push the

is the procurement cost of the 316 new buses

share of public transport in the city’s mobility to 30 per cent by 2030.

“Achieving such objectives requires offering high-quality public transport options at affordable rates in a wide geographical coverage,” he said.

“These buses are characterised by low-floor access to ease the boarding of people of determination, top-notch services for public transport riders, high-end interior finishing and roomy seats. They also boast of dedicated seats for children, WiFi service, and USB portals for charging smartphones as well as smart connectivity.”

Volvo will supply the 143 deluxe coaches, which will be deployed to cope with the expansion of intercity bus service to Abu Dhabi and northern cities. The 79 double-deckers will be supplied by MAN Truck & Bus, serving urban areas with high-density ridership, in addition to 94 medium-size OPTARE buses to serve new communities.