Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009
Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi residents will be able to enjoy 100 more new buses with more facilities from March 1, said a senior official while displaying one such bus on Tuesday.
The air-conditioned buses will have more capacity - 65 passengers (34 seats and 31 standing) - compared to the existing buses with a capacity of 45 passengers, said Saeed Al Hameli, General Manager of Public Bus Office at Abu Dhabi Department of Transport. The new buses are also adapted for use by physically challenged passengers.
Al Hameli reiterated that bus users will have to pay for travel from March 1.
(It was announced last month that the free bus service started six months ago was being extended for two more months).
He said, "Besides foldable wheel chair ramp, electronically controlled air suspension with integrated kneeling system [which enables easy entry and exit of passengers at bus stops], surveillance cameras, exterior destination panels [route map screen for passenger information], Automatic door control - doors can be opened by passengers from inside and outside - completely closed, lockable driver cabin with integrated driver's microphone for passenger announcements and automatic fire extinguishing system in engine compartment are the important features of the Germany-made 'Man Lion's City' buses."
The surveillance cameras are expected to prevent crimes like pickpocketing, harassing women or vandalism, said Al Hameli.
An operation control system will monitor the system through cameras, which will help to improve the quality of service. "During the past six months of service, there were no specific complaints on pickpocketing or harassing women except some incidents of youths disturbing drivers or destroying seats".
There is an automatic mechanism to count the number of passengers also, said the official. The frequency of the buses from and to the airport will improve to three minutes per bus as several routes will be linked to that road by March 1. The busiest roads already have a bus service frequency of 5 to 10 minutes while other city roads get a bus in 10 to 20 minutes. The existing 9 bus routes will be increased to 12 in the first quarter of this year.
New horizon: Roaring success
- 65 passengers (34 seats and 31 standing)
- 50,000 people a day (which is about 5 per cent of city population) using the bus service
- Bus service frequency of 5 to 10 minutes while other city roads get a bus in 10 to 20 minutes
- The present 9 bus routes will be increased to 12 in the first quarter of this year.
- Passengers will have to pay for bus services from March 1.
Will this encourage to travel by bus? Do you expect this to have an impact on the traffic congestion? What are the problems you face using public transport?
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