02 October 2010
Dubai - Roads & Transport Authority: Nashwan Attaa'ee:The Public Transport Agency, Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), has recently launched a webpage linked to the RTA website dedicated to Bus Rental Service offered to government and semi-government authorities and agencies as well as private businesses, hotels and tourist offices operating in Dubai. The move comes in the context of a new strategy adopted by the Agency with the aim of broadening the scope of its services to keep pace with the developments of integrated public transport modes in the Emirate, and enhance the e-services offered by the RTA to bring them in line with the Dubai e-Government drive.

According to the CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency Eisa Abdul-Rahman Al Dosari, RTA opted to launch this service in an effort to enhance bus transport sector given the availability of top-of-the-range RTA buses featuring unprecedented levels of luxury and comfort, thanks to the advanced technological and mechanical specifications that render travelling on board these buses a memorable experience.

"I think this service will be extremely interesting to hotels and tourist offices operating in Dubai Emirate as it avails them a fabulous opportunity to offer top-class services to their customers and tourists arriving in the Emirate from all over the globe as our buses have unique features to create a highly safe, convenient and luxurious mobility environment," said Al Dosari.

"Public Transport Agency uses environment-friendly buses driven by skilled drivers highly trained on safe driving techniques and customer service etiquettes. Routes of the rented buses will be configured to suit the individual customer requirements and buses will be controlled and managed through RTA Operation Control Center fitted with the state-of-the-art technologies in this field 24/7, and in case of any failure, the Agency undertakes to provide relief buses. It is also possible to fit these buses with additional on board services, as required by the customer, such as attendance systems, internet, breakfast, and daily newspapers among others," explained Al Dosari.

He added: "The Public Transport Agency already rolled out an initiative to commute RTA employees from their homes to their work places and vice versa billed as Awselni initiative; which is considered one of the unique and most successful mass transport schemes in Dubai. The Agency also provides commuter service to the employees of Emirates Airlines and DNATA based on a contract made early this year. The Agency boasts a 40 years experience in the field of passenger transport and currently operates a fleet of 1530 Dubai Buses or Inter-City Buses, and has 4 Bus Depots fitted with sophisticated equipment and maintenance facilities," added the CEO of Public Transport Agency.

Public Transport Agency has four types of buses: standard, articulated, double-deck buses and luxury coaches. The standard buses comprise several types (Mercedes Solari - VDL) and have a capacity to accommodate 34 seated passengers and 31 standing passengers such that the total passenger capacity of the bus is 65 passengers. The bus is fitted with fire extinguishers, window glass-breaking hammer in case of emergencies, advanced air-conditioning systems, First Aid kits, exclusive family seats, internal & external cameras in front of the driver, fully automatic door control, LCD monitors and internal speaker system, and a lift for the use of special needs and wheel chairs.

Articulated buses have a capacity to accommodate 48 seated passengers and 64 standing passengers bringing the total passenger capacity of the bus to 112 passengers. The bus is fitted with fire extinguishers, window glass-breaking hammer in case of emergencies, advanced air-conditioning systems, First Aid kits, exclusive family seats, internal & external cameras in front of the driver, fully automatic door control, LCD monitors and internal speaker system, and a lift for the use of special needs and wheel chairs.

Double-deck buses have a capacity to accommodate 81 seated passengers and 33 standing passengers bringing the total passenger capacity of the bus to 114 passengers. The bus is fitted with fire extinguishers, window glass-breaking hammer in case of emergencies, advanced air-conditioning systems, First Aid kits, comfortable seats with a wide leg room, exclusive family seats, internal & external cameras in front of the driver, fully automatic door control, and LCD monitors and internal speaker system.

The fourth type of buses owned by Public Transport Agency is the luxury coaches; Sweden manufactured deluxe Volvo buses offering high safety levels, and top-notch features & technologies. RTA has procured these coaches from Al Futtaim Motors, the approved dealer of this type of vehicles in the UAE, and the Public Transport Agency has deployed them in a service shuttling between Dubai and Abu Dhabi Emirates.

These coaches have a speed up to 110 km/h and are fitted with 25 deluxe adjustable seats, a pantry and a host to offer refreshments and snacks en route. Seats are fitted with safety belts, push-buttons to request a service or assistance, video & music players, movable feet and arm rests, food trays, and seats covered by soft leather offering full comfort in transit. The coaches are also equipped with fire extinguishers, window glass-breaking hammer in case of emergencies, luggage compartment and overhead racks for small-sized personal belongings. 10 of these coaches are equipped with a lift for the use of special needs and wheel chairs.

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© Press Release 2010