Roads and Transport Authority signs contract with Al-Futtaim to purchase 55 luxury Volvo coaches

The deal of 55 Volvo coaches comprises 30 single deck first class coaches, 15 luxury class coaches and 10 first class coaches with wheelchair accessibility.

The agreement was signed earlier today between Eng. Essa Abdul Rahman Al Dossari, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, on behalf of His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority and Mr. Paul Floyd, Managing Director of FAMCO.

The ceremony took place in the presence of Mr. Rune Lundberg, Senior Vice President Volvo Bus, Mr. Colin Leitch, Al-Futtaim Group Director-Automotive, Mr. Joe Lahoud, Divisional Manager, FAMCO Truck & Bus Division, Dr. Aysha Al Busmait, RTA Director of Marketing & Corporate Communication Dep't, , Eng. Abdulla Yousef Al Ali, Director of the Bus Transport, Eng. Khalid Hashim, Director of Planning & Business Development and a number of directors & officials representing the RTA and FAMCO officials.

HE Mattar Al Tayer commented that the purchase of these new Volvo coaches is part of the RTA's comprehensive strategic plan to improve public transport within the Emirate and to attract an increasing number of passengers to ease traffic congestion on the roads. He also confirmed that the RTA is working to increase the number of trips through public transport by 30% through developing alternative public transport solutions that are high in quality, affordable to use and have comprehensive geographical coverage that competes with personal vehicles. In addition, the RTA is constantly working on spreading awareness to drive a cultural and social change of the public's view regarding the use of public transport services and to achieve complete coherence between public buses, the Dubai Metro and marine transport.

He added that the new coaches feature the latest and best technology with respect to safety and security features. Moreover, some of the coaches have been specially designed to cater for the needs of disabled passengers having a special entrance and place within the coach. In addition, the VIP luxury quality seats are spacious and similar to business class airplane seats where there is enough leg space and lots of audio visual and entertainment features in addition to wi-fi internet connectivity. Moreover, the service in the coaches is divided into First class & Business class. They are fully equipped with food catering facilities, toilet and hostess service during the trips.

HE Mattar Al-Tayer explained that the new Volvo coaches will be operational during next October, and will initially extend to the cities of Abu Dhabi & Al Ain. At a later stage, the service will be expanded to serve a wider area, ensuring that the advanced facilities provided by the new coaches will attract a larger number of passengers to the public transport service, and will contribute effectively to reducing traffic congestion and pollution.

Paul Floyd, Managing Director of FAMCO said; "The quality and reliability of the Volvo brand and FAMCO's reputation for unrivalled after sales service were decisive factors in winning this important contract from the RTA".

He added, "We are confident that these new Volvo coaches will provide passengers with an unparalleled traveling experience as well as enhancing driver comfort, increasing road safety and lowering exhaust emissions."

Speaking on the new technology introduced with those coaches, Joe Lahoud, Divisional Manager, Truck & Bus Division - FAMCO, said "The 55 Volvo B12B coaches will feature Volvo's environmentally friendly Euro IV engines with SCR technology, Volvo I-Shift transmission and advanced braking and vehicle stability systems (ESP). All these features ensure a comfortable and safe ride for the passengers and a highly fuel efficient operation with minimum exhaust emissions. We are confident that these luxury coaches will be extremely popular reflecting the core values of the Volvo Group: Quality, Safety and Environmental Care."