Tuesday, Jan 22, 2013
Sharjah: Three City Sightseeing Sharjah buses have now started operating after an announcement by Shurooq, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority which unveiled the completion of phase l of the project.
The tour bus service, which aims to introduce tourists to landmarks and monuments across the emirate, commenced with three buses on Tuesday and plans to increase the number of buses in accordance with market needs in the future.
With the launch of the new service, tourists visiting the emirate will be able to enjoy a direct and easy form of transportation to all of Sharjah’s tourist attractions.
“We expect to see a quick increase in the number of holidaymakers making use of this service in light of the programme of bus tours, which has been designed to suit a range of tastes, with special care taken to cater to the needs of families,” said Ahmad Obaid Al Qaseer, chief operating officer of Shurooq.
The double-decker buses can accommodate 72 peassengers and are specifically designed to adjust to the region’s weather conditions. The buses include a convertible roof that can be removed during winter months for an open-top tour experience and a fully air-conditioned interior for comfortable summer tours.
The buses will also include an audio guide which will explain the significance of the various historical sites in German, Russian, English and Arabic through available headphones inside the bus. Five more languages including Chinese, Spanish, Urdu, Hindi, and French are to be added in the future.
The bus service will make 18 stops at tourist and cultural destinations across Sharjah. The scheduled stops will include the Central Souq, Marbella Resort, Al Noor Mosque, Al Majaz Waterfront, Buhaira Corniche, Al Qasba, Sharjah Aquarium, Al Khan Corniche/Beaches, the Fish Market, the Heart of Sharjah, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, Radisson Blu Resort, Clock Square, and Mega Mall. Each tour will take around one hour and 15 minutes to complete.
The buses will operate seven days a week all year long. Tickets are valid for 24 hours are set at Dh85 for adults and Dh45 for children.
City Sightseeing Sharjah was launched by Shurooq in cooperation with “City Sightseeing Worldwide”, one of the world’s premier city tour providers that have established tour bus services in five continents and more than 99 top tourist destinations across the world.
By Jumana Khamis Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
