Abu Dhabi residents happy with new changes in bus service

Abu Dhabi residents have welcomed the changes in public bus services that include changes in bus lines and increasing the frequency of buses, starting from this Eid holiday.
In a move aimed at enhancing and upgrading the bus transport network and by providing innovative, long-term solutions to improve road safety, the Department of Transport (DoT) represented by the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), on Wednesday announced that it will add more buses to the network during the peak hours, will improve the service frequency and implement more other positive modifications. Instead of a 30-minute gap between two buses on the same route, buses will ply on every 15 minutes.
Starting from the first day of Eid Al Fitr, according to DoT, these changes will take place on most lines operating in Abu Dhabi and its suburbs and the city of Al Ain and its suburbs, to benefit the largest possible number of public transport users.
"I am happy with the new bus services because it would reduce the rush during peak hours," said Indian expat Munir Anjad.
"I stay along Muroor Road and I use public buses daily to go to my workplace on the Electra Street but the bus usually reaches my place when it's full. Sometimes I have to wait for long time for the next bus."
He added: "Adding more buses to our route will ease commuting and save our time."
Another bus user, Peter Rob, a Filipino expat, said reducing the gap between two buses to 15 minutes will help reduce the time passengers spend on the roads waiting for a bus.
"I stay in Al Manasir area. I usually have to wait for almost 30 minutes in case I miss the regular one and sometimes it delays me to reach the workplace," said Rob.
Kenyan hotel worker, Ramadan Wafafa, said he uses public buses to commute to his workplace along the Corniche but hates congestion in the bus. "During the morning rush hours, sometimes I won't get a seat or board the bus when it's already full," he said.
"Adding more buses to the busy routes or networks means easing transport services for us."
The ITC noted that the changes in bus lines came after extensive studies and within the framework of the comprehensive road transport plan aimed at providing the highest levels of comfort for public transportation users.
Among the routes or areas where new bus services have been introduced or expanded include Al Reem Island, Al Maqta East and Abu Dhabi Gate City, Abu Dhabi International Airport, Al Raha Beach and Yas Island and others.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi

Ismail Sebugwaawo

ismail@khaleejtimes.com