Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has secured a Dh1.1 billion contract to introduce 636 new buses, including 40 electric models, into the emirate's fleet. These environmentally friendly buses, which meet European standards, are slated for delivery in 2024 and 2025. This initiative marks a significant step towards the RTA's goal of having 25% of all journeys made by public transport by 2030, as stated by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors.
The new buses will feature advanced technologies such as the Driver Behaviour Monitoring System (Raqeeb) to enhance safety and Automated Passenger Counting (APC) to prevent fare evasion. Additionally, driver identity authentication will be integrated into the operating system. Al Tayer highlighted that these buses align with the RTA's strategy to achieve zero emissions in public transport by 2050, aiming for a complete transition to electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
The contract encompasses the procurement of 40 electric buses from Zhongtong, 400 MAN and 50 Zhongtong city service buses, 76 double-decker buses from Volvo, and 70 articulated buses from Isuzu Anadolu. These buses, equipped with Euro 6 engines and conforming to Gulf specifications, are designed to serve high-density areas and new districts, thereby improving geographic coverage and occupancy rates.
The new fleet boasts features such as low floors for accessibility, bike racks, child-friendly seating, Wi-Fi, and mobile charging points, ensuring superior service for public transport users. Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, also mentioned the development of a special fuel consumption testing system to evaluate different bus types. This Dh1.1 billion investment is part of the broader vision led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and supervised by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
