RTA reveals the new identity of public transport

Present at the event was HE Mattar Al Tayer Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads and Transport Authority, HE Mohamed Obaid Al Mullah CEO of Public Transport Agency, officials of the RTA and executives from other governing bodies of the Emirate.

HE Mattar Al Tayer said, "We are grateful to the directives of H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the ongoing follow-up of H.H Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum: Chairman of the Executive Council, that we are realizing significant achievements in a short period of time. These services reflect the vision of achieving security and user mobility for all which explains the continuous efforts in the providing efficient means of transport which include various buses and taxis."

"For example, the total number of taxis operating in the city is 6130 while Dubai Taxi has the largest number of those vehicles, a total of 3208 vehicles, driven by 4500 drivers, that have transferred 87,440,500 passengers since 2004 till recently last August," he added.

He pointed out that the fleet management of public buses comprising of 515 vehicles, operate across the 64 lines, carrying 250,000 passengers a day across the 600 trips. These buses commute across 168,000 kilometers, and the figures are expected to rise to transferring 90 million passengers by the end of this year end, compared to 74 million passengers that were transported in 2005.

His Excellency added that the fleet of buses transport across the city consisting of 111 air conditioned medium-size buses, are regularly under maintained by qualified supervisors and in addition 170 new buses will be introduced for this service next year along with , and 125 two- levels buses.

A distinct bouquet of new services and new color codes for taxis and buses with each color symbolizing the type of service was announced. H.E said that the aim of this step is to provide the best services to the public across various classes, so the customer can distinguish between types of taxi and bus through the color, then make their choice. These services include the provision of five new types of bus services. The bus services include and VIP service, and the quick bus service, Dubai International Airport Service, and Public bus service, and the Metro Bus Service. As for the taxis, the vehicles will be the "Ladies Taxi," which will be characterized by the color Pink and the passengers will be restricted to women and children only.

He confirmed that the interest of the development of the means of transportation of all kinds is a translation of the strategic plans adopted by the entity. It complements the development of road networks and passenger services as well as the application of smart traffic system being developed to reduce the problems of traffic congestion and its negative implications. This initiative aims to encourage and attract additional numbers of passengers to use Public Transport services thus reducing the risk of accidents.

He said that the ambition does not stop there, and that the RTA always looks forward to providing services to all cities and Emirates and keeps pace with the achievements of the positive changes taking place in Dubai as its world-class reputation is distinctive regionally and globally. He pointed out that the projects and programs of the RTA were based on the pioneering vision for the future as it played a key role in the overall strategy of Dubai.

Public transport

HE Mohamed Obeid Al Mulla CEO, Public Transport Agency, said, "Via 16 network lines, linking Dubai with Sharjah Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah and Al Ain, the network also serves the cities and regions like Althide and Masafi and Jebel Ali and several residential, commercial complexes and other industrial areas. The demand for this service has increased significantly during the first half of the current year. The number of passengers transported were 4.1 million, registering a growth of 20% compared to the corresponding period of last year."

He added that the fleet of medium size bus transport across the city consisting of 111 air conditioned medium-size buses, are regularly under maintained by qualified supervisors and in addition 170 new buses will be introduced for this service next year amounting to 281 buses , and 125 two- levels buses. The new buses will be available in many of the services, such as wireless internet, fax and telephone, and display screens to the audience as well as toilets. The bus floor will be lower to aid the boarding and alighting of special needs.

Public buses

Speaking on color codes for 516 buses which provide services within the Emirate of Dubai he said that the color green will be bus service "VIP", which stands for grandeur, relaxation and comfort. This will cater to office staff working in the service trade areas and important areas especially where it is difficult to find car parks such as Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai International and Financial Center, and places experiencing severe traffic congestion. The advantage of these buses are that the seats will be air conditioned and can be adjusted to cope with the comfort of the passenger. Wireless Internet service will be available to businessmen.

He added that the surfaces of buses "quick service (Express)," will be painted gray, which derives from the color of shadow reflection of the speed. The color 'Red' is chosen for Public Buses, being derived from the flag of the Emirate of Dubai and the corporate identity of the RTA. The bus service "Dubai International Airport," will have a greenish yellow roof top, to add a sense of comfort and optimism to the passengers after the flight that is accompanied by fatigue and tension. These airport buses will be characterized by wide seats and places reserved for bags and luggage. The color surfaces buses "Metro" will be blue derived from the color of Khor Dubai. (Dubai Creek)

Ladies Taxis

Mr. Ammar Bin Tamim, Director of the Dubai Taxi Department announced a taxi service called "Ladies Taxis". Through this service, the RTA aims to provide a safe means of transport for women. Initially 50 modern and comfortable vehicles are being introduced for this service, that will be driven by 100 woman, working seven days a week and around the clock. The agency will train the drivers in specialized training institutes prior to the commencement of operation of the service as well as they will be tested for their ability to deal with the public in accordance with the customs and traditions of society.

Colors for taxis>/h3>

Ammar Bin Tamim, said, " To help the customer distinguish between types of taxi through their color, he pointed out that all taxis will be beige in color, and will be distinguished from company to company through colored. Each company's logo will be embarked on the door fronts. While Dubai Taxi and RTA's logo along with the serial number of each vehicle will be behind the vehicle and on the right and left sides of the rear of the vehicle. The uniforms of the drivers will be beige. Each company driver will be distinguished from the other through his which will be according to the color of the roof; in addition the RTA's logo will be on the left side of the uniform.

'Dubai Taxi, will be red, to complement the identity of the RTA. He pointed out that "Dubai Taxi" retains the largest number of taxi vehicles, a total of 3208 vehicles, led by 4500 drivers, and in the period from 2004 till the end of last August 34,976,200 trips were made while 87 440, 500 passengers were transferred. The rate of trips, which implemented during the first eight months of this year, amounted to 1,900, 882 trips and 4,752,205 passengers were transferred.

He added that the Dome of taxis "Ladies Taxis" will be painted pink, while the color of 'National Taxis" which amount for 754 cars will be yellow. The company "Cars Taxis' which have 754 cars will be 'blue' and the "Metro taxi with 754 cars will be brown. The color of the dome taxis company "Al Arabia" operating 500 cars, will be green and the 'City Taxi' with 30 vehicles will be white, and lastly "Hatta Taxi' company, holding 30 vehicles, will be golden in color.

Inter city transport

The Engineer Najib Al Zarooni Director of the Intercity Transport Department, announced the fleet of medium size bus transport across the city consisting of 111 air conditioned medium-size buses, are regularly under maintained by qualified supervisors and in addition 170 new buses will be introduced for this service next year amounting to 281 buses , and 125 two- levels buses. The new buses will be available in many of the services, such as hosts and hostesses on board, wireless internet, fax and telephone, and display screens to the audience as well as toilets. The bus floor will be lower to aid the boarding and alighting of special needs. He pointed out that the tickets will be sold on the internal bus stations, shopping centers and on the web site of the RTA

Al Zarooni said that the administration intends to expand the services they provide to include trips to outside the UAE. In 2008 international trips via 'Dubai Bus' will be introduced to Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. In 2009 the services will be extended to Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and Syria. He pointed out that state of the art air conditioned bus stations will be adapted in the UAE and the countries that are providing services to. These will be the stations of high-level too, identical to the terminals at international airports and will be provided with restaurants and wireless Internet service, sanitation, parks and other services.

He added that buses will be monitored by electronic control system called Automatic Vehicle Management working through satellites. Tickets for trips outside UAE will be sold in bus stations and shopping centers, travel agencies and on the web site of the RTA.

Reviewing the colors of Inter City Bus Transport said that the bus service, "Emirates Express" will be fully painted golden that reflected the color of the desert and sand temperature between the cities of the United Arab Emirates, while Dubai Bus will be , gray. He stressed that the demand for transportation service across the city witnessed a big increase during the first nine months of the current year. The numbers of passengers transported were 6,110, 974 and they achieved revenues of AED 37,866,000. He attributed this increase to the opening of the Dubai, Abu Dhabi in the first of the month of March last year.