The world's first of its kind includes 50 new shelters
Al Dossari: "The project is considered one of the fruits of strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation between the RTA and Right Angle Media".
Dubai (UAE): The Public Transport Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Right Angle Media inaugurated yesterday the first phase of the air conditioned public bus shelters, which includes about 50 shelters. It is one of the leading projects implemented by the RTA, which is considered a quantum leap in its action process to reach the planned integration in the mass public transport. This project is the first of its kind in the world.
This came at a press conference jointly organized by the RTA and the company executing the project, Right Angle Media, yesterday morning in the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel and the inauguration of the service at one of the AC-bus shelters alongside Jumeira Beach Road.
The event was attended by Essa Abdurrahman Al Dossari CEO of the Public Transport Agency and Raman Multani, CEO of Right Angle Media and Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, Director of Public Buses Department in RTA and Scott Rowe, Director of Business Development in Right Angle in addition to a number of CEOs and Senior officials from both parties, and scores of the journalists and reporters.
In his speech, Essa Abdurrahman Al Dossari CEO of Public Transport Agency, said: "We are honored to work side by side with Right Angle Media for the implementation of this pioneering and the world's first of its kind project so as to upgrade the level of service provided by the Public Transport Agency to the public buses commuters in Dubai, through the provision of such AC-bus shelters, which includes 50 new shelters would protect the passengers from the hot sun in summer, and cold and rain in winter while awaiting the arrival of the buses. This initiative represents a substantial addition to the tireless efforts of the RTA to encourage the people to use the public transport modes, which is deemed one of the most important pillars and the biggest indicator of the progress made in the UAE in general and Dubai in particular in all fields and areas".
Al Dosari added that this joint project is considered one of the fruits of strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation between the RTA and Right Angle Media.
He concluded by stating that the Public Transport Agency of RTA is always committed to expand, develop and enhance its work mechanism through a package of innovative solutions in order to provide the best services to the public of locals, expatriates, visitors and tourists, and encourage them to use the public transport network, which will undoubtedly contribute to the evolvement of traffic cruise and reduce the numbers of accidents on the vital roads and streets.
For his part, Raman Multani, CEO of Right Angle Media, said: "The project represents an important part of a broad strategy executed by the RTA based on long-term plans to alleviate the traffic congestion on the roads & streets of Dubai, and we are truly proud of having this project implemented".
Commenting on the advertising turnout of the project, Multani pointed out: "The project received an enormous response from a large segment of advertisers since its launch. We have received many requests to reserve advertising spaces on the facades of the AC-bus shelters once they are fully operational".
He added: "Advertising on the bus waiting shelters is globally well-known, and what is so special about advertising on our AC-bus shelters are their distinctive locations, facades' background lighting, in addition to their prominent crescent designs making them the most striking ad spots that capture the attention of both bus commuters and passers-by".
Multani confirmed that the Right Angle Media had been approached by several municipalities outside of the UAE interested in developing similar partnership-based solutions.
The design of the AC-bus shelters has been derived from the Crescent, and each shelter can take fourteen people. In addition, they are equipped with sophisticated systems and are adapted to accommodate advertising and information spaces. They represent a technology used for the first time in the UAE and the region. They also include snacks and soft drinks vendor machines, ATMs, and an integrated set of public services and facilities such as recycling garbage containers and other facilities.
The aim of RTA through delivering this service is to encourage the public to use the buses through the provision of globally innovative and pioneering solutions, which will create an atmosphere of comfort rather than waiting for the arrival of buses, particularly in the scorching summer sun. This project represents a significant support and an essential foundation for integrating the expansion and modernization of the public transportation sector including the public buses, taxis, marine and Dubai Metro once the latter is up and running.
This project is being implemented in accordance with the "Building, Operation and Transfer" (BOT), with its privilege period extending more than ten years during which it is run and operated by Right Angle Media. The proprietary of the project after the expiration of this period is to be fully transferred to the RTA to run it the way they deem appropriate. Therefore, this project will continually ensure the RTA residual advertising revenues.
-Ends-
By Nashwan M. Abd
RTA
Marketing and Corporate Communication (MCC)
Direct Contact: 04-2907034
Mobile: 050-5440205
E-mail: Nashwan.abd@rta.ae
© Press Release 2008
