Roads and Transport Authority – Nashwan Atta’ee:

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently started the formal operation of the Bus On-Demand service at several Dubai localities including Al Barsha 1, Dubai Internet City, International City, The Greens, and the Dubai Silicon Oasis. The formal running of services followed a successful period of trials that went according to the plan.

“The Bus On-Demand service is a mobility mode that contributes to easing the first and last-mile challenge. It involves deploying on-demand minibuses via a smart app in specific areas of Dubai. Following successful trials on this vital service, RTA decided to officially launch the service in certain communities. Selected areas have their own hotspots attractive to various community segments,” said Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, RTA.

Bahrozyan expected the service to be quite popular amongst public transport riders, especially as it is smooth, accessible and have flexible routes that can be tailored to the needs of certain categories. “The initiative provides service to areas of low-demand public transport, reduces operational costs in view of the fixed service times, integrates with public transport means, and reduces riders waiting time,” he added.

“The initiative has other benefits that relate to clients, operation and the environment. It reduces the walking distance and waiting time of passengers, and improves their transit experience through the use of high-quality buses.

“As for operation, the bus is smaller and consumes less fuel, and the smart scheduling system reduces wasted kilometres. As for the environment, the initiative reduces carbon emissions and private vehicle journeys within service coverage points.

“To run the service, RTA entered the geospatial data of Al Barsha 1, Dubai Internet City, International City, The Greens, and the Dubai Silicon Oasis. The data entry enables riders in covered areas to locate themselves and track the movement of the bus until it arrives at their sites.

The smart system for responding to the demand of riders is based on the concept of connecting some areas by mini public buses from selected points through a smart app that enables riders to identify their routes from the start to the destination and pay the fare. The service provides an innovative solution to the first and last-mile journeys in those areas and connects with the nearest public transport station.

“During the trial operation phase, RTA verified the service efficiency parameters namely accessibility to riders, response time, and the transit time. A survey was carried out at metro stations to screen the needs, ideas and views of residents about the service before the full operation so that the service can measure up to their expectations of safe and smooth transport,” added Bahrozyan.

The parameters of the survey also included residential segments that use the service, car ownership, mobility options, nearest public transport stop/station, preferred mobility option (walking distance, waiting time, … etc), convenience, punctuality, on-demand service, proximity to homes and destinations, and the affordability of fare. In doing so, RTA adopted top global practices prevailing in countries like Spain, Germany, USA and Finland.

The initiative was also based on other aspects such as the optimal use of land, type of commercial activities, average individual incomes, age groups, population density, avoiding competition with current public transit means and requests received from the public.

-Ends-

© Press Release 2020

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.