The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has announced a contract valued at AED 1.1B to acquire 636 new buses.
The agreement aims to support several key objectives for the emirate. These include enhancing the well-being of Dubai’s residents and visitors, reinforcing the city’s position as a hub for international events, and contributing to the targets outlined in the Dubai Urban Plan 2040.
RTA Dubai disclosed this information via their official social media account on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday. The buses, scheduled for delivery in 2024 and 2025, will adhere to European low carbon emission standards.
“The procurement of these new buses forms part of a comprehensive plan to elevate Dubai’s public transport system to meet the highest international standards. Our objective is to provide top-tier services to public transport users and accommodate the sustained growth in bus ridership. This deal demonstrates RTA’s commitment to making public transport the preferred mode of mobility for residents, aiming to increase the share of public transport journeys to 25 percent by 2030. Achieving this target necessitates offering high-quality public transport services with extensive geographic coverage and integrated multi-modal transit systems,” stated Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA.
This initiative aligns with Dubai’s goal to increase the proportion of public transport journeys to 25 percent by 2030 and supports the UAE’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The contract encompasses 40 electric buses from Zhongtong, 450 urban service buses from MAN and Zhongtong, 76 double-decker buses from Volvo, and 70 articulated buses from Isuzu Anadolu.
“Most of the buses will be equipped with the Driver Behaviour Monitoring System (Raqeeb) to monitor and improve driver conduct using innovative technologies that enhance bus safety standards. They will also feature an Automated Passenger Counting (APC) system to accurately record passenger numbers and match them with automated fare collections to prevent fare evasion. Additionally, they include an electronic Driver Identity Authentication system integrated into the operating system. The buses boast comfortable seating, high safety standards, adjustable seat belts in family areas, and a sleek design reflecting Dubai’s modernity,” added Al Tayer.
The RTA has developed a fuel consumption testing system, the UAE Fuel Consumption Protocol, to evaluate efficiency among different types of buses.
This procurement is part of Dubai’s broader strategy to enhance public transport and achieve sustainability goals outlined in the Dubai Urban Plan 2040 and the Public Transport Zero Emissions in Dubai 2050 Strategy.
“The acquisition of the new buses focused on meeting the latest global standards, including compliance with European carbon emissions specifications, low floors for easy access for people with disabilities, bicycle racks, special seating for children, Wi-Fi service, mobile phone charging points, and intelligent systems to enhance service provision to public transport users, featuring excellent interior finishes and spacious seating,” commented Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency.
