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New-look public buses hit roads

DUBAI — Repainted a beige and white colour, the public transport buses plying between the emirates of Dubai and Sharjah hit the roads yesterday.

The decision to paint the buses was taken after a deal was signed between the Dubai Transport Corporation (DTC) and Sharjah Transport Corporation (STC) in which it was decided that the buses would wear a brand new look to promote the service.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, the Director-General of DTC, Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla said after being repainted, identity of both the corporations would be displayed prominently on the vehicles. “The logos of both the corporations will be displayed alongside each other on the sides of the buses,” he explained.

At present, nearly 25 of a total of 63 buses moving between the emirates have been repainted while the remaining ones being done in phases. Nearly 600,000 passengers have been transported between the two emirates by the end of September since the bus service was launched in January.

Mulla said the step was taken to promote bus service within the emirates and to lessen traffic jams between Sharjah and Dubai.

“Once the bus service is sufficiently promoted, people will resort to using it. Thus there will be lesser traffic jams on roads,” he explained.

He said a positive feedback had been received from the public and there was a demand to increase the routes.

In this regard, a deal was signed between Ali Al Hamrani, Director-General of Ajman Municipality and Obaid Mohammed Al Mulla, Director-General of DTC in September to establish a bus line to transport passengers between Ajman and Dubai.

Mulla said due to its popularity, the service would also be expanded to Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, Dibba, Al Dhaid and Kalba.

“DTC is willing to co-operate and co-ordinate with emirates to achieve high levels of quality transportation between the emirates,” he said, elaborating that the inter-emirate transportation service was comfortable and safe and was readily available.