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New steps to upgrade Dubai's road transport

Some 170 new public transport buses, including 125 double decker buses, will be introduced in the city next year, while 500 air-conditioned bus stations will be ready by the first week after Eid.

Year 2008 will see international bus services being operated via Dubai, reaching out to destinations like Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. This will be followed by services to Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and Syria, in 2009.

State-of-the-art airconditioned bus stations will be set up in the UAE as also the other countries linked with the services.

"The stations will be identical to the terminals at international airports with restaurants and Internet services, sanitation facilities, parks and other services", said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA.

Tickets for trips outside the UAE will be sold in bus stations, shopping centers, travel agencies and via the RTA website. "The fares are being studied by a consultant and will be announced soon".

The new double-decker buses to be introduced in the city will be equipped with latest services like wireless Internet, fax, telephone, display screens for passengers, and each of them will be manned by a host/hostess.

A distinct bouquet of new services and new colour codes for taxis and buses with each colour symbolising the type of service was also announced.

Five new types of bus services include VIP service, Quick Bus Service, Dubai International Airport Service, Public Bus Service, and the Metro Bus Service.

A 'Ladies Taxi' service will be characterised by the colour pink and the passengers will be women and children only.

"For the first time in the history of Dubai, the emirate has spent Dh7billion on construction works and expansion of services for the public," said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer said that already a law had been drafted and forwarded for approval to the Federal Government to limit registrations on old cars as a way to tackle traffic issues.

A dedicated lane for trucks and buses had been studied, but is not economical. "The roads capacity has to be seen and not all roads are wide enough," he said.

Al Tayer pointed out that the fleet of public buses, comprising 515 vehicles, operates across 64 lines, carrying 250,000 passengers a day across 600 trips.

These buses commute across 168,000km, and the figures are expected to rise to 90 million passengers by the end of this year, compared to 74 million passengers in 2005.

Obaid Al Mulla CEO, Public Transport Agency said: "Via 16 network lines, linking Dubai with Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Al Ain, the inter-emirate network also serves the cities and regions like Althide and Masafi and Jebel Ali and several residential, commercial complexes and other industrial areas.

The number of passengers transported this year was 4.1 million, registering a growth of 20 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year."

Speaking on colour codes for 516 buses which provide services within the emirate of Dubai, he said that the colour green will be for the VIP bus service. This will cater to office staff working in the service trade areas and important areas, especially areas where it is difficult to find car parkings, such as Shaikh Zayed Road and Dubai International Financial Centre, as well as congested places. "Seats will be air-conditioned and can be adjusted for comfort. Wireless Internet service will be available to businessmen," added Al Mulla.

Quick Service (Express) buses will be painted grey. Red is for public buses, the bus service for Dubai International Airport will have a greenish yellow rooftop. It will be characterised by wide seats and also have places reserved for bags and luggage. Metro buses will be blue.

• UAE