RTA Accomplishes Construction Of All Phases Of Dubai Bypass Road Project

Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji: H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), announced that RTA has completed construction of all phases of the Dubai Bypass Road, stretching from the environs of Sharjah Emirate at Al Sajaa Interchange and terminating at the exit point from Dubai Emirate to Abu Dhabi Emirate, in a 70 km-long sector constructed at a cost in excess of one billion dirham. He stated that the contractor was making the final touches of the final Phase IV, which stretches from the R/A at the intersection with Jebel Ali – Al Hebab Road up to the entry point of Abu Dhabi Emirate. The Dubai Bypass Road is set to link up with Al Faya Road, known as Trucks Road, in Abu Dhabi in the third quarter of this year.

"The Dubai Bypass Road is a key traffic corridor in the structural roads network plan undertaken by the RTA and offers an alternative motorway to Emirates Road and Sheikh Zayed Road as it provides an external corridor for motorists inbound from Northern Emirates and outbound to Abu Dhabi Emirate and vice versa without having to go through downtown area. By opening Phase IV, RTA has completed the opening of all phases of the Road which comprises 6 lanes in each direction," said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer continued: "In view of the immense nature of the project and as RTA was keen on accelerating the delivery of the project, it had been divided into four phases. Phase I started from Al Rawiyya R/A at Dubai – Al Ain Rd to Jebel Ali – Al Hebab Rd, with a total length of 24 km. It also included the construction of an express way of six lanes in each direction at a cost of 363 million dirham.

"Phase II started from the outskirts of the Dubai and Sharjah emirates at Al Sajaa Interchange to Al Rawiya Interchange at the Dubai – Al Ain Rd in a sector extending 23 km costing 295 million dirham. This Phase included the widening of the existing road from two to six lanes in each direction and fitting it with internal and external shoulders separated by the existing median. It also included transforming the R/A of the intersecting Al Khawaneej Road into an interchange allowing free movements in all directions as well as the construction of rainwater drainage system, utility lines conduits and camel crossing as well as improving the existing road elements such as the median, metal rail, safety fence and lighting works.

"Phase III included the construction of Al Qudrah Bridge on the Dubai Bypass Road, which comprises three lanes in each direction, in a sector stretching from Umm Suqeim Road in the direction of Al Qudrah (Endurance) area and Bab Al Shams and vice versa, costing 96 million dirham. Al Qudrah Bridge is considered one of the key phases of the six lanes Dubai Bypass Road, a key corridor of Al Qudrah Road and a continuation of the Umm Suqeim Road passing through the Arabian Ranches Interchange across the Emirates Road. Al Qudrah Bridge provides the users of the Dubai Bypass Road and Al Qudrah Road free movement in all directions. Motorists inbound from Umm Suqeim and outbound to Sharjah Emirate, and those coming from Al Qudrah area heading towards Abu Dhabi Emirate, can use the surrounding tunnels underneath the Dubai Bypass Road, which have been opened earlier to enable turning on the Dubai Bypass Road.

"The final Phase IV of the Dubai Bypass Road, which was constructed at a cost of 289 million dirham, comprised the construction of a dual expressway of six lanes in each direction extending from Jebel Ali – Al Hebab Road to the outreaches of Abu Dhabi Emirate in a sector extending 25 km and linking up with Al Maktoum International Airport and Dubai Industrial City to accommodate the projected traffic movements in this road. It also included the construction of 3 camel crossings that can also be used as turning points in addition to rainwater drainage canals, utility lines conduits, metal rails, safety fence and lighting works," said Mattar Al Tayer.

RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director concluded his statement saying: "RTA will continue upgrading several key and arterial projects in the Dubai Emirate as part of an integrated road-widening plans under a strategy aiming to provided advanced services to residents as well as practical & all-inclusive solutions that ensure seamless traffic flow and realization of RTA vision of providing Safe & Smooth Transport for All in the Emirate.

RTA Adopts Advanced Method To Detect & Rectify Traffic Black Points

Work teams at Traffic & Roads Agency of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) are currently engaged in developing an advanced procedure for detecting & rectifying Traffic Black Points in the emirate of Dubai. The step comes in the context of efforts made to curb this recurrent phenomenon, educate motorists on how to avoid mistakes leading to tragic accidents, and reporting black points against violators.

In explaining this advanced mechanism, Hussain Al Banna, Director of Traffic Dep’t at RTA Traffic & Roads Agency, said: “Areas witnessing recurrent traffic accidents are identified in accordance with international technical standards applicable in analyzing traffic accidents in areas classified under the scope of Black Traffic Points.

He added: “A systematic approach guided by scientific principles is adopted to detect black point areas in keeping with the best global practices, traffic safety guides, and scientific procedures & studies conducted in the field of addressing black points. This approach is based on several steps such as data entry of all traffic accidents in the emirate of Dubai, compiling & analyzing statistics through the applicable systems in the RTA, and identifying accident spots using GIS system; which does not allow for entering the same accident more than once.

“For this purpose Traffic & Roads Agency classifies short roads & junctions as black point spots if three accidents take place in a circle with a diameter of 150 meters over a period not exceeding 3 years. Parts of long roads are classified as black point spots in case of reporting 3 accidents in a sector extending 400 meters within a period not exceeding 3 years. The gravity of the dangerous spot is classified according to the resulting casualties and number of accidents that take place in the area.

“The mechanism of addressing black point areas is based on the application of scientific basis for rectifying these spots using the best practices worldwide through adopting the same procedures mentioned in identifying the locations witnessing intensive traffic accidents, where accidents are classified in the order of their types and reasons.

Among the accidents resulting in registration of black traffic points against violators is two vehicles collision (head-on, sideway or successive), static collision, vehicle overturn and other traffic accidents. The underlying reasons of accidents are well know and the top of which come excessive speed, reckless driving, jumping the red signal, lane changing, sudden swerving, negligent & inattentive driving, and others factors triggering traffic accidents causing extensive losses in lives and properties.

“Safety engineers at Traffic & Roads Agency are visiting sites designated as black point spots with the aim of monitoring and evaluating the existing situation taking into consideration a number of factors such as run-over accidents, intensity of pedestrian traffic, pedestrian traffic points, locations of the median, road speed limit, number of lanes, factors hindering visibility, road lighting level, type of road usage and the level of urban development. Safety audits are applied in conformity with the specifications highlighted in Traffic Safety Audit Guide in the Emirate of Dubai.

“Field visits made by traffic safety engineers are followed by recommendations, suggestions and solutions submitted for addressing the problems facing the said spots in accordance with the studies carried out by the concerned work teams. Following implementation of the suggested solutions, the area is subjected to surveillance for a specific period of time in order to establish the percentage of improvement of traffic safety situation in the area.

“Results concluded after application of black points addressing mechanism are evaluated and measured after making several modifications to these spots for periods ranging from 3 to 12 months.

“Thanks to the implementation of this advanced procedure for detecting and addressing black traffic points, constructive results have been achieved such as reduction of the number of mortalities from 29 to 10 at Sheikh Zayed Road in the sector between Defence Interchange and the 5th Interchange, following reduction of the speed limit from 120 to 100 km/h. The number of fatalities also dropped from 7 to 1 case at Al Khawaneej Road, following the closure of U-turns and reduction of speed limit from 100 to 80 km/hour.

“Not a single death case was reported at Al Amardi Road; which witnessed 5 fatalities before closing the U-turns. We can generally say that the drop in fatalities ranges from 30% to 70% in immoderate traffic accidents that took place in several black point spots such as Al Hudaiba Road following establishing of a crossing zones, and construction of humps at dangerous crossings of Midriff, closing U-turns at Al Amardi Road and other roads.

“33 suggestions made by Traffic Safety Section have been implemented to address black point spots registered in 2008. This covered some remedies such as revising the timing of light signals, constructing pedestrian crossings in areas witnessing recurrent run-over accidents, and erecting concrete barriers to protect road users in case vehicles go off the road to the right of way. 20 spots have so far been pinpointed for possible modifications; such locations are still under construction” said Al Banna in a concluding remark.

It is worth noting that RTA has also launched the campaign "Haseb" (Take Care) to enhance the traffic safety in Dubai through a number of awareness campaigns that aim to sort out wrong driving practices on Dubai’s roads and streets.

RTA Takes Part In DSS 2009 With A Historical And Heritage Expo

Mr. Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan CEO of RTA’s Licensing Agency and Mr. Yousef Sharaf, Deputy Executive Director of Aswaaq Centers inaugurated "Al Maktoum & Dubai Exhibition" held at the Aswaaq Centers in Al Mizhar Area as part of RTA’s activity in the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2009. The exhibition will run for two weeks.

Bahrozyan stated that the Exhibition, which is organized by the Licensing Agency under the title "Al Maktoum & Dubai," embodies the history and heritage of the Dubai Emirate since the era of the fifties through to the sixties and until emergence of the UAE Union at beginning of the seventies. The Agency offers rare heritage collections giving the visitors an overview of the Al-Maktoum and the emirate of Dubai in that period of time.

He explained that the collections include books, coins, stamps, medals and old posters of the Al Maktoum and the emirate of Dubai. The exhibition also includes Arabic and foreign books narrating about HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in addition to glass collections decorated with the portraits of Sheikh Rashid. The stamps carry pictures of Sheikh Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The event also includes ancient coins and military medals that were used in the Emirate of Dubai during that time.

For his part, Mr. Nabeel Yousef Al Ali, Director of Control and Inspection at the Licensing Agency said that the Agency is partaking in the exhibition with a history of driving license in Dubai Driving license’s developmental phases, and various forms and designs were showcased. The Agency is also reviewing through the plate numbers the vision that can be adopted after the use of Latin alphabets (A, B, C…) carried by the plate numbers in Dubai.

It is worth mentioning that the exhibition is open to visitors from 9 am to 9 pm.

RTA Addresses Security & Safety Requirements Of Marine Transport

Marine Agency at Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has recently overhauled all safety & security requirements of all marine mass transport modes, currently in service or to be introduced in future, through preparing technical testing guides together with a package of licensing conditions.

"The underlying objective of this step is to provide security & safety in all marine mass transit modes in fulfillment of RTA vision of providing safe & smooth transport for all" said Esam Ismail Al Faheem, Acting Director of Registration and Licensing of RTA’s Marine Agency.

"The Agency has equipped abras, and water buses in service with all security and safety tools to keep them in line with global maritime requirements, agreements and registers. Regular technical tests are periodically carried out to all modes of marine mass transit systems, including abras and water buses, as operation permits will not be granted unless the marine transport modes in question fulfill the approved safety & security standards.

"The vision of the Agency does not end up at testing & registering marine mass transit modes but extends to include successive initiatives spanning training & qualifying of abra operators, and publishing safety booklets and brochures to serve as guides to all sea goers, be it commuters or water sport practitioners. The Agency has also established a specialized maritime library containing key marine books and references" continued Al Faheem.

He further added: "The department is keeping pace with the development drive in the emirate through adopting the best global methods and practices in registering and licensing marine transport modes, and has recently unleashed jet skis registration e-program, providing full information and details about jet skis as well as their owners, engine capacity, and entry ports in the UAE.

"The Dep’t will save no efforts to upgrade its processes in conformity with quality standards. In the near future the full range of customer services will be delivered from a single port through establishing an e-link with RTA Traffic Dep’t & Finance Dep’t and other concerned bodies in the emirate. A highly competent team with extensive administrative & technical maritime expertise is currently working on plans for registering and licensing new marine mass transit modes which will be added to RTA marine fleet in the second quarter of next year" added Al Faheem.

He called upon all jet ski owners in the UAE to streamline their positions and process licensing of their jet skis at RTA registration offices; which are currently situated at Umm Suqeim 1 (Fishers Port 2). Offices remain open to receive customers from 07.30 am to 02.30 pm from Sunday to Thursday.

RTA Establishes Units To Oversee Safety & Protection Of Dubai Metro

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has approved a system where Safety Regulation and Planning Dep’t at RTA’s Strategy & Corporate Governance Sector will oversee the safety and protection of trains in Dubai as a step to ensure the safety of all rail users & rail employees in the emirate.

"This step is part of continuous initiatives launched by the RTA to raise the profile of infrastructure facilities in the emirate of Dubai, headed by Dubai Metro, to the highest levels of safety. The new system puts Dubai Metro under the umbrella of an effective and integrated transport planning system in the emirate of Dubai. The system also includes establishing & assessing technical standards & rail safety, developing & evaluating safety rules of rail operators, investigating rail accidents, and protecting all rail properties in the emirate from the risks associated with activities in the neighbourhood" said Al Tayer.

He added: "According to the new system, two separate organizational units have been established. One of them will attend to transport planning, setting technical standards, and protecting trains, while the other will oversee the safety of trains and related operational processes. Upon completion of successful assessment of safety by RTA specialist safety personnel, RTA will issue certification to the company operating Dubai Metro covering safety position and operational safety. RTA will deploy a team of inspectors to enforce the implementation of safety standards once Dubai Metro starts operation, and will also be ready to cope with emergency cases.

Al Tayer further added: "Safety Regulation and Planning Dep’t will discharge these tasks at the highest international standards applicable in rail industry. Safety assessment standards have been developed in coordination with Office of Rail Regulation in the UK. RTA had also engaged with world-class safety consultants boasting rich experience in framing up Dubai Metro Safety Standards.

"Rail Agency will protect all properties of Dubai Metro through close monitoring & surveillance of all activities that might cause damage to Dubai Metro properties. The Agency is entitled to issue orders to stop activities which pose danger to Dubai Metro or rail properties, serve violators with notices to comply with safety requirements, and issue them with offence tickets " continued Al Tayer.

It is note-worthy that in the second quarter of 2008 RTA established an independent department called "Safety Regulation and Planning Department" under Strategy & Corporate Governance Sector and tasked it with key four tasks: planning & policies; covering developing policies and legislations related to health, safety and environment, and drawing up plans & procedures related to health, safety & environment in accordance with the best global standards. It also outlines the objectives and KPIs of health, safety & environment, develops rail transport safety standards, prepares databases of lessons learned from accidents, compiles annual safety reports, and ensures carrying out studies & development researches with the aim to improving safety.

RTA has also established two Quality, Health, Safety & Environment (QHSE) departments at Traffic & Roads Agency and Rail Agency, besides QHSE offices established in the rest of RTA agencies. This underscores RTA intention to enhance safety measures at all projects and transportation systems undertaken by the RTA using specialized work manuals and in accordance with a well-defined technical methodology.

RTA Public Transport Agency Coordinates Educative & Training Campaigns

The Bus Fleet Drivers Affairs Dep’t at Public Transport Agency of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has recently organized several training sessions and educative campaigns covering key fields such as civil defense, first aid, work procedure, traffic offences, job responsibilities, quality & safety offences, and protection of public funds. Events list also included reception and enlightenment of students as well as awareness and educative campaigns to enhance protection from swine flu.

"Public Transport Agency always seeks to improve abilities of its employees & polish their skills as a means to upgrade their performance level, keep them informed on external issues & activities, and expand their exposure at the professional or personal levels" said Mohammed bin Fahad, Director of Bus Drivers Fleet Affaires Dep’t at Public Transport Agency.

Bin Fahad continued: "In cooperation with Dubai Civil Defense Dep’t, we held 25 training courses attracting participation from 726 bus drivers. Courses spanned several topics such as fire extinguishing, vacation processes, how to use fire extinguishers, types of fire accidents and many other aspects of fire fighting. The Agency also organized 16 First Aid courses attended by 195 participants and contents covered first aid procedures in the event of fractures, stings, bleeding, fire and artificial respiration.

"7 other courses were held under the supervision of Processes Section at Public Transport Agency which were attended by 457 drivers, covering the best practices of implementing work mechanism, and job responsibilities of employed drivers. 6 more courses were supervised by Traffic Dep’t at Traffic & Roads Agency in coordination with Emirates Driving Institute where 201 drivers took part. These courses covered discussions about reckless and careless driving, theoretical & practical benefits of applying safety belts, black points, job responsibilities, and compliance with safe driving instructions" added bin Fahad.

Job responsibilities campaign included 5 courses witnessing participation of 484 drivers under the supervision of Bus Fleet Drivers Affairs Section. Courses covered a host of topics such as driver affairs, job responsibilities, and periodical leaves. Quality offences campaign covered 9 courses where 493 drivers took part. The courses, which was overseen by Monitoring & Franchise Dep’t at the Agency, provided explanation of quality offences, types of offences, frequent offences and how to avoid offences.

Among other activities and events organized by Bus Fleet Driver Affairs Dep’t, there was Public Fund Protection campaign; which covered 7 courses attended by 435 drivers. Discussion included work procedure, and job responsibilities of employed drivers.

Bus Fleet Driver Affairs Dep’t received a student delegation from Dubai American Academy and elaborated to the youngsters the benefits of using public transport modes in a bid to instill these concepts in the early life of these kids, given its huge importance of this exercise to them in particular and to the community as a whole.

A further campaign was run to provide further knowledge about swine flu, which attracted 200 participants. The course, which was held under the supervision of Zulaikha Hospital in Dubai, included a lecture to enhance the awareness of the disease, how it could be contracted, how the infection is transmitted, and the preventive measures in place.

RTA Dubai: No Parking Fees during Al Isra’a Wal Mi’aaj Holiday on Sunday

It was announced by Roads & Transport Authority (Traffic & Roads Agency) that parking spaces in all paid parking zones in the emirate of Dubai will be free on Sunday 19 July 2009 to mark the celebrations of Al Isra’a Wal Mi’raaj Holiday.Adel Mohamed Al Marzouqi Director of Right of Way Dept, Acting Director of Parking Dept at RTA’s Traffic & Roads Agency, confirmed that parking of vehicles in the parking spaces of the RTA will be free of charge only on Sunday 19 July 2009; which is an official holiday to all government, semi-government organizations and private companies across the nation.“This step comes as part of RTA’s efforts to provide every means of comfort & smooth mobility to inhabitants and visitors of Dubai during holidays and events. It demonstrates the ongoing care of the RTA for various social cross-sections and the sense of responsibility towards residents & visitors of the emirate. No doubt it is a practical gesture reflecting the vision of the RTA to provide safe & smooth transport for all through providing convenient and smooth mobility to motorists during holidays and religious events” said Al Marzouqi.In the meantime, RTA calls upon the public, particularly motorists in the emirate of Dubai, to ensure optimum utilization of these parking spaces; as they are part of the infrastructure that have been provided to serve citizens, residents, visitors and tourists in the first place. Motorists are also requested not to park their vehicles on pavements, nor at the back of other vehicles; as such a practice will be subject to fines, as provided for in the applicable rules.On this occasion; which is celebrated by Arabs & Moslems alike all over the world, RTA would wish to extend best greetings and wishes to Arab & Moslem worlds, and pray to God Almighty to bring them prosperity & success.
  

RTA Opens A New Bus Route!

The Public Transport Agency at Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has launched on July 1st a new bus route called X63 covering several areas in the emirate of Dubai, following extensive field surveys carried out by the Agency to assess the requirements of several districts in Dubai, and meet the rising demand for this service in several Dubai localities.

“Public Transport Agency is keen on broadening and upgrading its services to cope with the urban expansion and demographic growth of the whole country, particularly in Dubai; which has a growing profile as a regional commercial and economic hub, and a point attraction for investors and businessmen from all over the globe” said Mohammed AbuBuker Al Hashemi, Acting CEO of Public Transport Agency.

“The New route, X63, starts from a point near Workers Residential Blocks of Dubai Municipality at Al Qusais, passes through Emirates Road and Al Khail Road up to Al Qouz Industrial Area 3.

“5 standard buses are being deployed on this route to provide daily service from Saturday to Thursday, and 8 buses during Fridays and weekends. Buses shuttle at 30 minutes intervals on normal working days, and at 15 minutes interval on Fridays and weekends.

“RTA is always seeking to expand public transport network to cover various areas in the emirate of Dubai in keeping with the ambitious development plans undertaken by the emirate. This drive is demonstrated in the deployment of sophisticated, comfortable and safe buses imported from world-class specialized bus manufacturers, and fitted with features to serve special needs with exclusive compartments for ladies & children” added Al Hashemi.

Starting from the first of July, Public Transport Agency has also introduced some changes on Route 34 through increasing the number of operating buses from 6 to 9 on normal working days, thereby improving trip intervals from 25 minutes to 20 minutes. Trip Interval has also been improved on Route X92 from 30 to 20 minutes, and the number of buses deployed on Route X23 increased from 12 to 13 buses during Fridays and weekends. As of the first day of this month, the Route (L55) was renamed as (55); where the service will continue through the afternoon and will be open to all passengers. With the opening of Route X63, the number of internal bus routes covering the emirate of Dubai rises to 79 routes.

RTA Properties Accident Claims Processed at Customer Service Centers

Customer Service Centers Department at Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) added a new service to the public deliverable through all Customer Service Centers across the emirate of Dubai by enabling the public to inquire and pay RTA Property Accidents Claims. The service aims to attain the highest levels of service delivery to the public under one ceiling in order to achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction.The Director of Customer Service Centers Dep’t Dr. Aysha Al Busmait called upon the public who have transactions related to RTA Property Accidents Claims to report to the Main Customer Service Center or Subsidiary Customer Service Centers to seek the assistance of employees who stand ready to deliver the best services. In particular they will attend to their queries, offer them advice & guidance, and heed to their comments and feedback about the service in the context of efforts to upgrade the quality of service delivered and respond to the public feedback.She added: “Since last month, RTA started management and operation of Property Accidents Claims services following the official transfer of the system from Dubai Municipality. Accordingly, RTA is now attending to managing accidents which result in damage to the public properties, and assessing their extent & material cost. The service will cut short transaction process; saving much time and effort and contributing to achieving higher levels of customer satisfaction. The step is viewed in the context of RTA strategy to manage roads & traffic-related systems in the emirate and combine them under one ceiling to save time and effort of individual and corporate customers. The system, which is managed by the Financial Team, is interrelated with several RTA departments, particularly Maintenance, Parking and Intelligent Traffic Systems departments.“This step is part of the services rendered to RTA customers that aim at enhancing control, early detection of losses and facilitating transaction process. This is particularly relevant as most road accidents involving damage are related to RTA; which is seeking to improve customer services and offer them through multiple channels.
“The procedure in place states that when a traffic accident involving damage to road properties whatsoever they were takes place, Dubai Police will survey & draw a sketch of the accident, and compile a report to be entered in the Accidents System shared between RTA and Dubai Police, thereby the case becomes under the command of the RTA. The report contains description of losses sustained by public properties; be it related to roads and transport system or other departments in the emirate of Dubai, depending on the nature of losses caused. The concerned authority attends to assessing and fixing the cost of damage so that the Financial Team can claim the amount from insurance companies or individuals causing the accidents to pay the required fines and damages.“These procedures will combine all efforts, cut short service delivery channels, enhance quality levels, and fit well with RTA Mission of developing integrated solutions of road systems that are in line with the comprehensive economic development plans in the emirate and at the highest global standards” added Dr. Aysha.
She noted that inquiry and payment service of RTA Property Accidents Claims offered by RTA Customer Service Centers did not include the charges associated with accidents that take place outside the emirate of Dubai. “These are related to the Ministry of Public Works; which recover charges directly from customers. So far there is no agreement with them to reciprocate charge collection, likewise the agreement made with other traffic departments across the UAE.
 

RTA: e-Bus Cards Are Successfully Implemented, Over 618 Thousand Cards Sold

The Public Transport Agency at Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) is successfully proceeding ahead with the application of e-Bus Card as a smart system for collecting fares from passengers of public buses as part of the efforts to make traveling on public buses easier and faster.

“Public Transport Agency has so far sold more than 618,000 e-Bus cards at a rate of 18 dirham per card providing holders 10 journeys i.e. each passenger will get one complimentary journey" and the (e-Bus) Cards will still be utilized even after the launching of NOL Cards until the stock lasts" revealed the CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency Essa Abdul Rahman Al Dossari.

He added: “The key objective underlying the launch of this card is to step-up the operational efficiency of buses through cutting the time fraction spent by the driver in issuing and handing over paper tickets to passengers, whereas this modern method is set to enhance driver productivity, speed-up ticketing process for both the driver and passenger; thanks to the installation of easy-to-use systems suitable to all occupations and age groups. This method is thought to be the best automatic fare calculation system that ensures every passenger has paid the prescribed fare before boarding the bus, and this effective system obviates the need for dealing in coin currencies.

“Application of this system is an integral part of the Master Plan to upgrade and broaden public buses; a crucial step for encouraging people to use public buses which will effectively contribute to the integration of other transport modes. This is particularly relevant as a Unified Card will be launched for use in all mass transport modes, including marine transport and metro” continued Al Dossari.

The number of Routes in which public buses are fitted with e-Bus cards currently includes 37 routes out of the total 78 bus routes in the emirate of Dubai. These routes are: X23, C10, 300, C15, C18, F43, F46, F53, C22, C8, C26, 8, 8A, 10, 11A, 11C, 11M, 41, 42, 65, 66, 67, 93, 98E, C19, 13A, 5, 6, 7, 14, 61D, 90, 99, X35, 5X, C1 and C2.

The e-Bus card system was introduced on public buses in mid of March of this year.