Mohammed bin Rashid endorses model innovative designs of public transport bus stations at Al Qouz, Satwa and Karama

The stations provide a range of facilities and services to bus commuters such as bus stops, passenger boarding and alighting platforms, commercial outlets, restaurants and offices.

The Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) H.E. Mattar Al Tayer stated that construction of public transport bus stations complemented RTA's efforts to upgrade the infrastructure of a mass transit system to encourage citizens, residents and tourists to use mass transit modes in their daily travels.

Al Tayer said:

"The new design of these stations will add another aesthetic dimension to the city of Dubai. They boast a unique exterior layout combining creative and effective solutions side by side with engineering designs, and instill a new concept in mass transit modes replicating the dynamics of bus movement."

Al Tayer added, "The role of these stations will not be restricted to providing passenger transport services, but will go beyond that to provide comprehensive services since the stations will look like mini commercial centers comprising several commercial and services outlets, restaurants, and offices to name a few. The Basement will be used as a parking lot and the Mezzanine floor will be allotted to commercial and service outlets, offices, restaurants ... etc. The Ground level will harbour passenger facilities and bus operations, and the upper levels will be open for investment. The external yard will be designated as bus stops and a passenger boarding and alighting area. The stations will be linked with footbridges and subways to ease passenger movement to and from stations."

"The capacity of Satwa Bus Station is estimated as 625 passengers per hour, and passenger boarding and alighting area will accommodate 10 buses at a time. Taxi ranks can accommodate up to 12 vehicles plus 4 buses, and the area designated as parking will house about 307 vehicles, whereas the investment lot (offices and shops) spans an area of 5166 square meters," he pointed out.

"The capacity of Al Qouz Bus Station is estimated as 525 passengers per hour, and the passenger boarding and alighting area will accommodate 8 buses at a time. Taxi ranks can accommodate up to 12 vehicles plus 5 buses, and the area designated as parking will house about 208 vehicles, whereas the investment lot (offices and shops) spans an area of 3030 square meters," Al Tayer said.

"Karama Bus Station will be designated for Intercity Transport. The station has a capacity to accommodate 110 passengers per hour, and the passenger loading and unloading area will accommodate 5 buses at a time. Taxi ranks can accommodate up to 9 vehicles plus 3 buses, and the area designated as parking will house about 57 vehicles, whereas the investment lot (offices and shops) spans an area of 6332 square meters," stated Al Tayer.

The Chairman and Executive Director of the RTA further added, "RTA's plan to upgrade public buses is progressing according to the approved schedule. RTA has recently started the operation of the new articulated buses (single trailer and two trailers) and double-deckers, all equipped with environment-friendly fittings; thanks to the technology of recycling gas emissions. RTA has also procured 620 vehicles at a cost exceeding one billion dirham and some of them have commenced service. We are also heading towards the procurement of what will be the world's biggest bus procurement deal ever involving 1616 buses to provide feeder service to metro lines. Accordingly the number of buses will hit 2500 buses by 2010 fitted with the highest technological, security and safety standards."

"From inception, RTA realized that expanding the bus fleet will not be the sole answer of increasing ridership and meeting the objective raising the share of mass transit modes in person trips up to 30%; 17% of which will be attributed to the Dubai Metro and the remaining to public transport and marine transport modes. RTA therefore embarked on a number of measures to meet this target including the installation of 1000 air-conditioned bus shelters throughout the emirate. These shelters, which have a crescent-shaped design, include an integrated package of public services such as vending machines and rubbish recycle bins. The said measures also include redirecting bus routes to serve key areas, providing suitable feeder service for metro stations, and offering journey planners to ease the mobility of public transport users in Dubai. This objective is met by providing commuters with sufficient amounts of information needed such as the provision of fare calculator, the easiest and fastest way of reaching destinations, and journey route maps at stations as well as internal and external display monitors mounted on buses," he said.

Construction of bus depot stations is up and running, and work has started in Phase III of Al-Aweer Bus Depot Station, which comprises a 28-bay workshop fitted with the latest technical systems and tools needed for maintenance works as well as electrical and mechanical repairs. It also includes modern testing and inspecting systems along with warehouses for spare parts and offices for employees and technicians. The Jebel Ali Bus Depot Station where completion rate is approaching 70% has a capacity to accommodate about 300 buses (standard, articulated and double-deckers). It is fitted with 24 bays capable of housing 36 buses at a time for conducting various services like washing, cleaning and refueling. The Station has an office complex to accommodate 50 employees as well as residential quarters for 1200 bus drivers. Work has recently commenced at Al-Rawiyah Bus Depot at a cost of Dhs400m and the Project, which consists of two phases, is scheduled for full completion in early August 2009.