RTA buys 518 VDL Citea buses for Dhs1.9bn, including 8-year maintenance service

The announcement was made by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA in a press conference held yesterday in the presence of HE Mr. Kees V. A. van Spronsen- Consul General - Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands and Swaidan Al Naboodah, Vice Chairman, Al Naboodah Commercial Group and Mr. Wim van der Leegte - President Director of VDL.

"Purchasing these new buses is part of a comprehensive strategic plan developed by Roads and Transport Authority to upgrade mass transport in Dubai and attract new commuters in an effort to reduce road traffic congestion" said Mattar Al Tayer.

He added:

"RTA is seeking to boost the share of mass transport to up to 30% of person trips in the emirate; through provision of mass transport alternatives of high quality, reasonable cost and wide geographical coverage to compete private vehicles. Such a drive will also be assisted by spreading the awareness, orienting the culture & social outlook about the use of mass transport means, and fostering integration between various mass transport systems, such as public buses, Dubai Metro and marine transport service."

Al Tayer added: "RTA had put out a tender to procure 518 buses where several leading companies in the bus industry took part. Following review of offers submitted in terms of design, efficiency, expertise and goodwill, the contract was awarded to the Swaidan Trading Co. The value of the bus contract amounted to Dhs845,738,000/- and the maintenance cost of the fleet for 8 years amounted to Dhs1,050,000,000/-.

"The new buses will be deployed on feeder lines of Dubai Metro Stations. Each bus measures 12 meters in length and has a capacity of 68 passengers. These buses are equipped with hi-tech air-conditioning system and top security and safety standards. The design of these Citea buses was tailored to serve the requirements of special needs persons as they have low-floor as well as a dedicated entrance and seating area in a highly luxurious top quality setting. Buses are fully-equipped with state-of-the-art passenger information systems, a real time vehicle monitoring system and automated fare collection system.

"In keeping with RTA's commitment to protect lives & properties, conserve the environment & natural wealth, improve occupational health & public safety levels, and apply modern technology to curb noise level caused by transport modes, these buses are equipped with eco-friendly technologies, thanks to the technology of recycling gas emissions as part of complying Euro-4 and Euro-5 Standards governing bus emissions."

The Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA also pointed out that these buses would be delivered in several batches starting next July such that the whole lot would be delivered by April 2010. "The high technological features of these buses will contribute to attracting larger number of commuters to use mass transport modes," said Al Tayer in a his closing remark.

For his part Swaidan Al Naboodah, Vice Chairman, Al Naboodah Commercial Group, said that the contract was an excellent opportunity for the Co. to establish close relations with the RTA and play an important role in the progress drive of Dubai. "Our partnership with the RTA in the Metro project is a crowning moment for us as one of the Middle East's largest players in the commercial transportation sector with over 25 years of expertise. It is also a significant achievement for us to be part of the history in the making by associating with the Metro project and we would like to thank the RTA for this opportunity," he added.

Al Naboodah continued: "A Technical team of the RTA conducted a series of rigorous tests on Citea buses over several months in the Netherlands to ensure that the buses comply with the globally benchmarked standards of the RTA in terms of durability, safety, technical superiority, comfort and modern design. Testes proved that VDL buses conform to the stringent standards set by the RTA and come with an array of customized features that are unique with superior technological innovations and first-of-its-kind passenger management systems that allows better ease of operations. The buses also comply with global environmental standards and have been acknowledged worldwide for its low maintenance cost advantages".

Suwaidan further added: "The Citeas will be made in VDL Bus & Coach's production facilities in the Netherlands and Belgium. The VDL Citea is a highly modern, fuel-efficient, lightweight 12-metre long city bus extremely suitable for public transport system. Each bus has a capacity of 68 passengers and comes with special tropical air conditioning to withstand the hot climate of Dubai and the region. These low-floor Citea buses have low-chassis enabling smooth passengers boarding & alighting process".

Mr. Samar Roy, Managing Director, Al Naboodah Commercial Group LLC, said: "The VDL Citea bus order also marks the entry of privately-held VDL, one of the world's oldest bus and coach manufacturers, into the Middle East. This is a defining moment for VDL as well since it is the first time their city buses are being introduced in the region through the RTA contract.

Commenting on RTA contract win, Mr. Wim van der Leegte, Chairman, VDL Groep, said: "The RTA order is the largest in the history of the group and we are excited about our entry into the Middle East market for the first time. Coming to Middle East is part of our strategy to expand our footprints from Europe to emerging markets. The global economic down turn has shrunk opportunities in developed markets."

He continued: "Wile we see growth potential in regions like the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), we consider it as a significant achievement that the VDL Citea has been chosen for city transport. For us it is indeed a high-profile opportunity to have the Citea plying on the roads of Dubai which will bring us great visibility and reputation with the emirate being the regional business and tourism hub. We are confident that we will soon be entering into other markets in the UAE as well as the region".