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Dubai to get three new glitzy bus stations

Office spaces, shops, eateries, play areas as well as parking lots would be part of three new glitzy bus stations planned by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) at three different locations in Dubai.

Of the three stations being planned, one would be replacing the existing Satwa station, while the other two are planned for Karama and Al Quoz.

“The designs for the stations are 100 per cent completed; plots of land have also been allotted in Karama and Al Quoz and we have also done the temporary flooring work of the sites from where some routes have already begun operating,” said Mohammed Abu Baker Al Hashemi, the CEO of the RTA’s Public Transport Agency, while speaking exclusively to Khaleej Times.

With the capacity to handle hundreds of buses daily, the new stations would serve thousands of commuters as well as shoppers. However, it might take a while to take shape.

“All the planning work has been done, but we are not as yet hitting the floor. The project dates have been rescheduled due to the current economic conditions, but we hope to start soon and finish by either the end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012,” added Al Hashemi.

Already serving around 40,000 commuters daily, the existing Satwa station will be the biggest and busiest of the three. Currently, it handles around 25 buses on seven different routes and once the station is rebuilt its capacity would increase manifold, with several new routes planned to operate from the station.

“We want to add more value to our service and offer greater comfort to our customers. That is the reason why we are rebuilding the Satwa station and building the two new ones. The stations would be air-conditioned and will have modern amenities apart from business and shopping facilities,” said Al Hashemi elaborating on the services that would be on offer.

The Karama and Al Quoz bus stations will both have the capacity to handle 10 buses at a time. Complimenting the existing routes, many other routes are proposed from each site, with an expected daily ridership of 10,000 for each station.

Intercity bus E304 has already begun operation from the new site in Karama — adjacent to the Fish Market.

Buses will soon start operating from the Al Quoz site as well.

shafaat@khaleejtimes.com