Bus trips in Abu Dhabi to increase 30% - Gulf News

With the beginning of Ramadan 40 new air conditioned buses will operate in Abu Dhabi City, a senior official said Tuesday.

Saeed Al Hameli, General Manager, Public Bus Office, Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi, said the number of bus trips in the capital will also be increased 30 per cent to meet the greater demand expected during the month.

He said the new public bus service in Al Ain will start on Saturday, with four local routes and eight routes proposed to be operational by the end of this year.

As part of the department's comprehensive Al Ain Public Transport Master Plan, the Department of Transport will further enhance the new public bus service in Al Ain with nine more routes 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 the year, 100 buses will be serving the passengers of Al Ain, with this number rising to 134 next year. In all, 350 buses will be operational by the last quarter of 2011, ensuring frequent and efficient service throughout the city," according to Al Hameli.

The DoT will operate a special public bus schedule in Al Ain during the Ramadan, where services will run every 30 minutes throughout the day from 7am to 11pm. It will be suspended during iftar from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

A regular schedule will be launched after Ramadan. A fixed fare of Dh1 will be charged for these launch routes in Al Ain. A new fare system will be announced later this year.

Al Hameli said the department 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."