17 firms in race for bus service contract

The tender process comes as part of the bid to improve the standards, safety and efficiency of the emirate's public transport sector and provide a better quality of life to the residents and visitors.

Following a Request for Pre-Qualification (RFQ) process, companies have been short-listed to enter the Request for Proposal (RFP) phase to develop and submit their business proposals for the new bus network.

The credentials of pre-qualified candidates were assessed in terms of company track record, management experience and financial stability.

"We are delivering on our plan to improve public transport across the emirate and this tender process is the first step towards better buses. We look forward to seeing the first fleets on the roads by the end of this year," said Khaled Al Rashedi, project manager of the project mandated by the Programme Management Office of Abu Dhabi Government Restructuring Committee.

"We are working hard to realise our goal of providing a modern integrated public transport network.

"The RFQ was very successful and we have judged each submission fairly and transparently. The emphasis now shifts towards the companies that present a strong business case which can guarantee the delivery of the best possible bus service for Abu Dhabi."

The short-listed companies include Tawasul Transport, Q-Link Transport, Cars Taxi LLC, Emirates Transport, National Transport, Al Jaber Transport & General Contracting LLC, Al Wathba Co. for Central Services, Al Masaood Group, Arabia Taxi LLC, National Taxi, Emirates National Group, Al Ghazal Transport, Al Mariah United Group, Veolia Transport, Al Fahim & Big Bus Company Partnership, Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) and Al Dhafra Co-operative Society.

The Programme Management Office will contact all short-listed candidates to collect the RFP documents shortly.

The invitation to submit expressions of interest was valid for UAE-based applicants who have the resources and capabilities to run bus transport service of at least 70 buses.

Candidates not qualifying in this phase will receive a written official communication confirming their rejection.