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Discuss this article (5 Comments)Metro will not work without bus network - RTA chief
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Monday, 29 June 2009
ACTION STATIONS: One of the stations that will be served by buses.
Dubai transport chief Mattar Al Tayer has admitted the emirate’s metro will not work without an established bus network ferrying passengers to and from the stations.
During a press conference announcing the Road and Transport Authority’s (RTA) purchase of 518 Citea buses for AED1.9bn, RTA chairman Al Tayer said on Monday: “The metro will be starting in September; we cannot operate it without these buses.”
The deal includes an eight year maintenance contract with VDL, a Dutch company that is manufacturing the RTA’s 518 buses in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Al Tayer added the buses are part of a larger order for 1,600 passenger vehicles that was announced two years ago. Further deals with other bus companies, chosen following an open tender, will be unveiled in the coming weeks as part of this total order, he added.
“There are other companies that we will announce,” Al Tayer said. “It is not only one company; we don’t put our eggs in one basket.
“VDL is one of the best companies worldwide in the bus business and we as the RTA only deal with distinguished, international manufacturing companies that produce high quality buses. There are others [bus manufacturers], but it is not the time now to give you the other names that we’ll be signing with in the future.”
On the sidelines of the conference, RTA officials told Arabian Business that all stations on the Dubai Metro’s red line will be served by feeder buses when the $4.2bn transport system opens in September.
The 518 Citea buses will accommodate 68 passengers and have facilities for people with special needs, such as low floors, and specific entrances and seating. Air conditioning will be installed on every bus to withstand soaring temperatures, especially during the summer, the RTA said.
“Purchasing these new buses is part of a comprehensive strategic plan developed by the RTA to upgrade mass transport in Dubai and attract new commuters in an effort to reduce road traffic congestion,” Al Tayer said.
He added the RTA was hoping to increase public transport usage by 30 percent once the metro and bus service becomes operational.
Deliveries will begin next month, ending in April 2010.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Who needs a parking?
Posted by Majed Al Nasser, Dubai, UAE on Monday 27 July 2009 at 13:55 UAE time
From what I understand in this article, the RTA would provide even more buses to transport you to your nearest metro station, and while your waiting for the bus you can sit back and relax in those air conditioned bus stops.
Yes it is very hot outside (specially in summer) that even walking 50 meters would make you sweat more than in a sona, the RTA is doing its best. and I am not saying that to defend the RTA, because that is what they are actually doing, and they realise the frustration the heat might cause to public transport users
Posted by Majed Al Nasser, Dubai, UAE on Monday 27 July 2009 at 13:55 UAE time
From what I understand in this article, the RTA would provide even more buses to transport you to your nearest metro station, and while your waiting for the bus you can sit back and relax in those air conditioned bus stops.
Yes it is very hot outside (specially in summer) that even walking 50 meters would make you sweat more than in a sona, the RTA is doing its best. and I am not saying that to defend the RTA, because that is what they are actually doing, and they realise the frustration the heat might cause to public transport users
Everywhere else
Posted by K2 on Monday 27 July 2009 at 12:40 UAE time
To Nasir, this is how it is in every city of the world, the metro will not take you from the front door of your house to the front door of the store(s) you want to go to.
It is hot in the summer I agree, however, it is freezing cold in Canadian cities in the winter and people still use the metro/subway there. It is rainy in lots of other cities, but people still use the metro. There is simply no solution to this issue, however it does not mean the metro will not work!
Posted by K2 on Monday 27 July 2009 at 12:40 UAE time
To Nasir, this is how it is in every city of the world, the metro will not take you from the front door of your house to the front door of the store(s) you want to go to.
It is hot in the summer I agree, however, it is freezing cold in Canadian cities in the winter and people still use the metro/subway there. It is rainy in lots of other cities, but people still use the metro. There is simply no solution to this issue, however it does not mean the metro will not work!
parking? - metro dont get ur hopes high
Posted by nasir, dxb on Tuesday 30 June 2009 at 11:15 UAE time
metro would not be a very widely used service unless u have free or cheap parking at each station or atleast most of the stations.
example:
u live in the greens /tecom area . you have 2 stations close by, but none of them is at a walking distance
u want to go to deira to buy some stuff using the metro
ur options are:
take ur car to the station
walk to the station
take a cab to the station
u take ur car to the nearest station but there is no parking so u take ur car to deira - result metro not used
walk to the station - most people would not mind walking a few hundred meters but in the summers (which is most of the year) with a few bags in ur hand u would not repeat the experience very often.
u take a cab to the station. when u reach deira u walk or again take a cab as not everything is near to the station. coming back to the deira station u again use a cab or walk. close to home station u again take a cab home as u have stuff to carry. on average if u pay the minimum u will spend around 20-30 dhs on the cab, which is roughly 1/3 tank of gasoline for most cars. plus the metro ticket. plus the hassle for looking for cabs and waiting. result u wont use metro very often.
may be if u have free or cheap parking at all stations u might avoid the hassle of driving and spend on cabs for one side of my journey but for now it seems not a viable option.
result i wont use the metro as a preferred option if there is no fre or cheap parking avaiable.
may be i would do it on one side of my journey but i cant wait for cabs
metro not used.
Posted by nasir, dxb on Tuesday 30 June 2009 at 11:15 UAE time
metro would not be a very widely used service unless u have free or cheap parking at each station or atleast most of the stations.
example:
u live in the greens /tecom area . you have 2 stations close by, but none of them is at a walking distance
u want to go to deira to buy some stuff using the metro
ur options are:
take ur car to the station
walk to the station
take a cab to the station
u take ur car to the nearest station but there is no parking so u take ur car to deira - result metro not used
walk to the station - most people would not mind walking a few hundred meters but in the summers (which is most of the year) with a few bags in ur hand u would not repeat the experience very often.
u take a cab to the station. when u reach deira u walk or again take a cab as not everything is near to the station. coming back to the deira station u again use a cab or walk. close to home station u again take a cab home as u have stuff to carry. on average if u pay the minimum u will spend around 20-30 dhs on the cab, which is roughly 1/3 tank of gasoline for most cars. plus the metro ticket. plus the hassle for looking for cabs and waiting. result u wont use metro very often.
may be if u have free or cheap parking at all stations u might avoid the hassle of driving and spend on cabs for one side of my journey but for now it seems not a viable option.
result i wont use the metro as a preferred option if there is no fre or cheap parking avaiable.
may be i would do it on one side of my journey but i cant wait for cabs
metro not used.
Kiss and Ride - From Toronto to Dubai - Singing from the same Hymn Sheet
Posted by Prof Philbert, Toronto, Canada on Tuesday 30 June 2009 at 10:11 UAE time
Well done RTA , I am watching with great interest all the developments in intermodal transportation that will come to stay now in Dubai and serve its residents well.
Posted by Prof Philbert, Toronto, Canada on Tuesday 30 June 2009 at 10:11 UAE time
Well done RTA , I am watching with great interest all the developments in intermodal transportation that will come to stay now in Dubai and serve its residents well.
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