RTA to roll out bus on demand service

Dubai — To align with the needs of public transport users and to rationalise the deployment of public buses, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will introduce a ‘bus on demand’ service soon, an RTA official told Khaleej Times.

Using a technology developed by Germany-based MVMANT, the innovative transport solution will allow commuters to book and track RTA buses and request for a ride whenever they need it.

The RTA will test the bus on demand service by rolling out four mini-buses and two standard buses in Al Barsha and Al Warqa areas next month, according to Adel Shakri, RTA director of transport services.

“RTA buses run on fixed schedules and fixed routes but during off-peak hours, we only have a few commuters. This is the reason why we are introducing ‘bus on demand’ so we can rationalise the public bus service and align it to the needs of our customers,” Shakri told Khaleej Times.

The smartphone app will allow passengers to book seats and track the movement of buses around their neighbourhood to serve as the first and last mile connectivity to the nearest public transport stations such as the Dubai Metro, explained Sharkri.

Blochin Cuius, CEO of MVMANT, added that the “demand responsive transport service” uses AI (artificial intelligence) to bring first class public transport at economy prices, offering convenience of routes and trips that are tailored to the needs of the commuters.