Abu Dhabi to deploy 500 more buses as plans to expand Abu Dhabi's bus service start

By the end of April 2009, 59 buses will be running to boost the service on the island and to suburbs including Al Shahama, Baniyas, Khalifa City and the Abu Dhabi International Airport, according to an announcement by Abu Dhabi Department of Transport.

"Out of the 500 city buses to enter service by the end of this year, 59 buses will go into service at the end of this month in the city and to suburbs," said Saeed Al Hameli, the general manager of the bus office at the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport.

He was speaking after he signed a memorandum of understanding with the UAE Red Crescent Authority to make 'Ojra' bus passes available through 25 Red Crescent kiosks spread across Abu Dhabi.

Thirty buses are to be introduced each month afterward until all 500 of the city and intercity coaches are on the road.

Al Hameli said existing routes will be enhanced and the suburbs such as Musaffah, Baniyas and Khalifa City will benefit, as some of the buses running on the island now will be moved to those lines.

He estimated that up to 65,000 people use Abu Dhabi city buses daily, based on purchases of passes, as well as revenue from fare boxes.

"Some 9,500 monthly passes and 3,000 daily passes were sold last month and Dh52,000 collected on a daily basis through the fare boxes," Al Hameli said.

By the end of next year, more than 1,360 buses will be running on up to 150 local, regional and intercity bus routes throughout the emirate.

Aside from local services for Abu Dhabi Island, Al Ain and Al Gharbia, there will be routes linking the three regions, as well as routes linking the island to the suburbs and local routes within those suburbs.

The new routes are part of an extensive project to build a modern transportation system over the next 20 years that will also include trams and a regional rail network.

Planners envision 25 bus routes in Abu Dhabi Island, up from nine today, though that target could change depending on demand. The city's bus service to Abu Dhabi International Airport will also be expanded.

Al Ain's bus service will be reorganised, with direct links between facilities such as Tawam Hospital, Al Ain International Airport and shopping centres.

Express bus services will link Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and their suburbs, while regional bus services will provide transportation to residents of villages and towns in Al Gharbia and the eastern region.

Non-stop intercity bus services will connect bus stations of major towns and cities throughout the emirate, and smaller city bus networks will be established in some towns.

Commenting on the Ojra fare structure, which was implemented from March 1, Al Hameli said the response from the general public had exceeded the department's expectations.

Statistics

- Up to 65,000 people use Abu Dhabi city buses daily

- Out of 500 city buses to enter service by the end of this year, 59 buses will go into service at the end of this month inside the city and to suburbs

- 30 buses to be introduced each month until all 500 of the city and intercity coaches are on the roads

Source: www.gulfnews.com