Abu Dhabi Department of Transport starts new public bus service in Al Ain

As part of the department's comprehensive Al Ain Public Transport Master Plan, four local routes will be launched in the city this week with a total of eight routes being operational by the end of the year.

At the same time, the DoT has announced that forty new air conditioned buses will operate in Abu Dhabi City (also from Saturday 22 August), replacing the current buses. The DoT is also scheduling an increase of 30% of public bus trips in the capital during the holy month of Ramadan. This increase will meet the greater demand expected during this period.

The DoT will further enhance the new public bus service in Al Ain with a further nine routes planned for launch in 2010 bringing the total to 17 by the end of next year.

To support this growth in public bus services, 50 high quality buses will be operational along the initial Al Ain routes. By the end of 2009, 100 buses will be serving the passengers of Al Ain, with this number rising to 134 in 2010. In total, 350 buses will be operational by the last quarter of 2011, ensuring a frequent and efficient service throughout the city.

The DoT will operate a special schedule for the public buses in Al Ain during the holy month of Ramadan, where services will run every 30 minutes throughout the day from 7am to 11.00pm and stopping during the "Iftar" timing from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. A regular schedule will be launched after Ramadan. A fixed fare will be charged for these launch routes in Al Ain. A further fare system will be announced in Q3 of this year for the new public bus services across the city and its environs.

Saeed Al Hameli, General Manager, Public Bus Office, Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi, said:

'The Department of Transport is committed to fulfilling its promises to the public by developing public transport services throughout the emirate including Al Ain. Since the original launch of public buses in 2008, ongoing improvements have been implemented including additional routes and facilities, and increased working hours to transform and upgrade the quality and level of the services provided to the public.'

He added: "The development of public transport networks and infrastructure is essential and represent an important step to implement the vision of H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan."

In July this year, the DoT announced the opening of a new bus station for Al Ain, providing passengers with a cool building in which they can escape the summer heat. With seats for 114 passengers, plus an additional 24 seats in a women only waiting area, the new station offers customer service, up-to-date route and timetable information, with televisions and hot and cold drinks also available.

The aim of the Al Ain Public Transport Masterplan is to develop a fully integrated infrastructure network and sustainable long term public transport network in Al Ain, by providing integrated high quality public transport services, enhanced passenger facilities across the city and minimize the environmental impact of traffic congestion. This will help to decrease dependency on private vehicles and reduce road congestion, which will contribute in reducing traffic congestion as well as support the goals of the "Al Ain 2030 Plan".