The RTA of Dubai has signed for the procurement of 636 new buses under the contract which costs Dh1.1 billion. These buses with low carbon emission standards and conforming to the ruling laws of the European market are expected to be received in the year 2024/2025.
The fleet will include 40 electric buses, making it the first of its kind in the UAE. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) aims to have 25 percent of daily trips using public transportation by 2030.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA believes this agreement is crucial for reaching this target.
Tech attributes
The manufacture of the next genre of buses will include sophisticated systems that are intended to provide optimal safety and functionality. This system is the Driver Behaviour Monitoring System (Raqeeb) which aims at monitoring driver conduct and guaranteeing its enhancement.
Due to the incorporation of fare collection and passengers, the Automated Passenger Counting (APC) system will detect fake commuters with the intention to defray fares.
Driver identity authentication will become part of the operating system, and will refer to RTA’s Public Transport of Zero Emission in Dubai 2050 vision that aims to achieve the provision of zero-emission buses, taxis and limousines by the year 2050.
The procurement contract affirms the purchase of 40 electric buses from Zhongtong as well as 450 city service buses, out of which 400 are MAN, a Volkswagen subsidiary while 50 are from Zhongtong.
Also, the contractual bus package consists of 76 double-decker buses by Volvo and 70 articulated buses of Isuzu Anadolu for the dispersion in high-density urban and new cities.
The buses have Euro 6 engines, making them suitable for both urban and inter-urban routes.
They feature low floors, bike racks, special seating for children, Wi-Fi, and phone charging points.
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The CEO emphasized RTA’s commitment to fuel consumption testing and the Dh1.1 billion contract reflects the leadership’s dedication to improving public transportation in Dubai.