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AC bus stops delayed due to design change

DUBAI — Bus commuters will have to brave the summer heat this year as the Roads and Transport Authority's (RTA) plan to erect air-conditioned bus shelters has been delayed due to design modifications.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Obaid Al Mulla, CEO of Public Transport Authority at the RTA, said the project to start installation of AC bus shelters would start from next month and will be completed by the end of the year. As per the previous plan, the shelters were supposed to be installed by this summer. However, the only air-conditioned shelter, at present, is at Burj Al Arab bus stop.

“After receiving feedback from users and experiencing it ourselves, we decided to make changes to the approved designs so as to make it more suitable for users, hence the delay,” said Al Mulla.

Explaining the modifications made on the existing designs, Al Mulla said, “We had installed steel seats, but due to the extra air-conditioning, they became very cold, so we have changed them to fibre glass. Likewise, the number is also being increased to 12 from six. There will be changes to the colour of electrical switches and quality of doors will be improved as well. This will be done gradually.”

He also said the number of such shelters will depend on the requirement of the area. "In hugely-populated areas, we will install bigger and more shelters to cater to the needs of the people," he added.

He said the RTA has already started construction of the planned 975 air-conditioned shelters to span over 656 bus parkings at key locations in the emirate of Dubai.