In implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai (may God protect him), to provide a sustainable and flexible mass transport system that contributes to facilitating the movement of people. residents and visitors, improving the quality of life and enhancing Dubai’s global competitiveness as an attractive center for international events, in order to achieve the goal of the Dubai Urban Plan 2040 and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, the Roads and Transport Authority has awarded a contract for the purchase of 636 buses of various sizes, compliant with the European low-carbon “Euro 6” specifications, including 40 electric buses, which are the largest and first of their kind in the country, and the buses will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
Preferred choice for transportation
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, said: The purchase of the new buses is part of an integrated strategic plan developed by the Authority to improve the public transport system in the Emirate of Dubai in line with international best practices, provide the best services to public transport users and keep pace with the continued growth in the number of public transport bus users, and the Authority aims to make public transport the preferred option for transporting the population, leading to increasing the percentage of trips by public transport and shared transport to 25% by 2030, by providing public transport alternatives characterized by their high quality and comprehensive geographical coverage, and achieving integration between all means of mass transport.
Al Tayer stressed that the technical specifications of the new buses support the UAE’s efforts to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, and also support the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to strengthen Dubai’s position as one of the world’s largest urban economies. as well as the Roads and Transport Authority’s strategy (Zero Emissions in Public Transport in Dubai 2050), which aims to convert all buses, taxis and limousines to zero emissions, and through which the Authority seeks to convert 100% of public transport buses to electricity and hydrogen buses by 2050.
Safety and luxury
He added: The contract includes the purchase of (40) electric buses, type (Zhongtong), with Gulf specifications that have been tested and tried in the region, and 450 buses to serve the city, including (400) buses of the (MAN) and (50) buses of type (Zhongtong) With high specifications of safety, luxury and quality, it is equipped with an environmentally friendly Euro 6 engine and is classified in the second category of United Nations vehicles. classification (Class II), which gives flexibility in operating buses on urban lines and on long highways (Inter-Urban). The contract also includes the purchase of (76) double-decker buses, type (VOLVO), and (70) articulated. (Isuzu Anadolu) type buses to serve densely populated urban areas and to serve new areas, in order to provide greater geographical coverage of Dubai and increase the occupancy rate.
Innovative technologies
The Managing Director and Chairman of the Board explained: “Most of the buses will be equipped with a Raqib (Driver Behaviour Monitoring System) system to monitor and improve driver behaviour through the use of innovative technologies to improve safety standards in buses, and an electronic Rasid (Automated Passenger Counting) system to record the number of actual passengers compared to the automated collection system, with the aim of reducing fare evasion, as well as an electronic system to identify the driver inside the bus (Driver Identity). Authentication) and linking it to the operating system. The buses will also be equipped with comfortable seats, high safety standards and seat belts in the family area that can be adjusted to suit all age groups. image of modernity in Dubai.
Fuel consumption protocol
For his part, the Executive Director of the Public Transport Company, Mr. Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, said: When purchasing the new buses, consideration was given to providing the latest international specifications, so that they also comply with European specifications in terms of carbon emissions. such as having a low entrance to facilitate the movement of boarding and disembarking (determined persons), and providing bicycle spaces, providing special seats for children, Wi-Fi service, providing spaces for charging mobile phones, and equipping the buses with intelligent systems, providing the best services to public transport users, thanks to distinguished interior finishes and spacious seats.
Bahrozian added: “The Authority has gained leadership at the level of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries by developing a special protocol to review the standard fuel consumption (UAE Fuel Consumption Protocol) to compare fuel consumption between different types of buses, as a criterion for qualifying suppliers. included the ability to manufacture, supply and maintain buses in accordance with approved international standards.” “With the aim of strengthening the principles of financial and environmental sustainability of buses and ensuring operational efficiency.”