Abu Dhabi gets its first air-conditioned bus shelters

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COOL DOWN: Abu Dhabi now has 20 air-conditioned bus shelters, like this one in Dubai. (Getty Images)

Abu Dhabi plans to have 550 air-conditioned bus shelters across the emirate by 2011, transport officials have said.

The first 20 air-conditioned shelters in Abu Dhabi were opened on Wednesday, with a further 80 to be delivered by the end of September, the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport (DoT) said.

The move is part of public transport plans to encourage people to use their cars less, helping to cut road traffic congestion.

“We aim to make public transport the first choice for travel in the emirate and today’s opening of the first air-conditioned bus shelters marks a significant step forward,” said Saeed Al Hameli, Bus Office general manager.

“We believe this will not only increase current passenger satisfaction, but also persuade more people to consider taking the bus – meaning a greener, more sustainable and less congested Abu Dhabi for everyone,” he said.

The air-conditioned shelters, which maintain a temperature of between 22-24C, are on nine routes around the city, predominantly located in Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum Street, Old Airport Road, Al Dhafra Base, Hadbat Al Zafaran, Al Reehan, and Zayed Sport City.  

Neighbouring emirate Dubai already has a number of air-conditioned bus shelters. A spokeswoman for the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) was unable to confirm how many there are.

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