Dubai still records milestones of smart and inclusive urban planning through its renovation of 22 bus stations within the city. The response is one of the initiatives of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to enhance comfort, accessibility, and efficiency to persons using the public transport system, especially as commuter demands continue to rise in the city.
Prayer Areas & Comfort Improvements at Bus Stations
During the renovations 16 passenger stations and 6 bus depots have been modernised. Some of the major improvements:
- They have also brought prayer rooms in strategic places to ensure commuters can get their spiritual needs met through prayer.
- Such touches as renovated waiting arcades, pavements, and building facades are cleaner and easier to use.
The changes are all about aesthetics and functionality with the aim of ensuring a better travel experience among passengers travelling in Dubai.
Stations Upgraded Across Key Areas
The one that was upgraded included:
- Deira 9 stations
- Bur Dubai 7 stations
These 16 stations devoted to passengers cover exactly 110 bus routes, and have a capacity of 710 buses during peak-hours.
The renovations make it possible that some of the busiest locations within the city, which are usually visited not only by residents but also by tourists, are ready to cope with an increase in the volume of traffic, yet to make them more convenient.
Depot Enhancements for Smoother Operations
The upgrades did not exclusively stop at passenger serving stations. The six big bus depots in:
- Al Khawaneej
- Al Qusais
- Al Ruwayah
- Al Awir
- Jebel Ali
- Al Quoz
gyms also had massive infrastructural improvements, which included:
- Workshop revamps
- Specially hardware-dedicated inspection lanes
- Engine washing machines
- Increased driver comforts
- Re-developed car parking areas
- New lighting and drainage
- High level security framework
The backend enhancements assist in the reliability of the bus fleet throughout Dubai and can sustain the bus fleet that runs daily.
New Fleet: 637 Eco-Friendly Buses Coming Soon
In conjunction with infrastructure upgrading, RTA has also contracted a new bus purchase framework involving 637 new generation buses, which will be supplied within the year 2025 and 2026. These include:
Electric & Euro 6 Compliant Buses
- 40 fully electric buses Zhongtong (12m, 72 passengers)
- It meets the Euro low-emission standards 6
- The first-in-kind of its kind in the MENA region
Other Types of Buses
- 400 MAN city buses (12m, 86 passengers)
- 51 city buses of Zhongtong (12m, 72 passengers)
- 76 Volvo two story buses (13m, 98 passengers)
- 70 Isuzu-drives Anadolu expressed buses (18m, 111 travellers)
Such extensions shall target high density areas and newly established societies, increasing the coverage and improving travelling efficiency within Dubai.
RTA’s Long-Term Vision
In response, Mattar Al Tayer said that:
The project is an addition to the RTA strategies to develop the infrastructure of public transport and promote mass transport among citizens who have to use it as their daily commuting means.
This project shows the visions of Dubai to be environmentally sustainable and have a better infrastructure system, as well as greener public transport in line with its 2040 Urban Master Plan.
