RTA unveils Dh400m bus depot project

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has endorsed a deal for constructing a public bus depot at Al Rawiyya at a cost of Dh400 million.

The depot is set to provide services such as bus yard, maintenance workshops, supply services and other related facilities.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman and Executive Director of RTA, said: "Phase one of the project, which has an estimated cost of Dh205m, includes construction of a bus depot capable of accommodating 295 buses (144 standard buses and 151 articulated buses). It also includes a maintenance workshop for electrical and mechanical works accommodating 20 buses at a time. In addition to that, it includes supply line to serve 12 buses, and a washing and cleaning bay with an intake of 20 buses at a time.

"Phase two includes construction of an administration office for about 40 employees in addition to drivers' quarters with a capacity to house 444 drivers. These units are composed of rooms, toilets, wash basins, dining halls and recreational facilities. Also under this phase, construction of investment buildings covering an area of 3,000 square metres of food courts and shops, besides a mosque with a capacity to accommodate 500 faithfuls, would take place ."

He said: "The project is part of the comprehensive plan set up by the RTA to uplift public bus mass transit system so as to attract additional numbers of passengers and ease traffic congestion. We are therefore working on provision of highly sophisticated buses to deliver top quality services at affordable rates and with a wide geographical coverage. It will also contribute to achieving integrated mass transit modes that include public buses, Dubai Metro and Marine transport. The plan also calls for constructing of air-conditioned bus shelters for passengers and expanding construction of bus depots."

RTA's new bus procurement plan is being carried out over several phases. Phase one included the purchase of 80 Mercedes-Benz buses deployed on three new routes and 620 buses from Man and Solaris companies at a total of more than Dh1 billion. Breakdown of this order includes 395 buses from Man (170 double-decker buses, 150 articulated buses and 75 standard buses). The remaining 225 buses are being procured from Solaris (75 standard buses, and 150 articulated buses). RTA has so far received a great portion of the new buses, which were deployed on old routes to replace ageing fleet.

The new buses are fitted with the latest technological features and highest security and safety standards.

They are designed to meet the requirements of special need people in terms of low floor rising just 38cm from the ground level compared to 100cm in the normal buses, which require three steps to board the bus. The design of the second door entry point in articulated buses includes non-slipping floor to ease boarding and alighting of special need passengers. The entrance provides direct access to the location designated for wheel chairs of special need persons or prams.

RTA signed a deal with Al Futtaim Auto and Machinery Company to purchase 55 deluxe Volvo buses, fitted with top of the range luxury standards that measure up to the luxury of business-class in aeroplanes, at a cost of Dh128m. The agreement covers 30 first-class single deck buses, 15 deluxe buses, and 10 first-class buses fitted with facilities to accommodate wheelchairs of special need passengers.

"In the near future, RTA will award the contract of the world's biggest bus purchase order covering 1,616 buses of different sizes and shapes designed at the highest safety and security standards. State-of-the-art technological features fitted to these buses include voice announcement of the next stop, commuter statistical system, a global positioning system linked to RTA control room, and internal and external display monitors," said Al Tayer. "Following this order, the number of buses in service by 2009 will hit 2,500; ensuring public transport geographical coverage spanning all over the emirate of Dubai. This is bound to provide feeder service to Dubai Metro stations and push up the percentage of trips carried out by public transport modes."

"The project of air-conditioned bus shelters for passengers is proceeding according to schedule and the number of air-conditioned shelters will rise to about 1,000 shelters by 2010," he said.