Dubai launches new bus route to meet demand

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced a new bus route to cope with “rising demand” as the emirate’s population grows.Route X35 starts at the Meadows near Dubai British School 1 and runs to Al Warqa by Sharjah American School.

Announcing the new route on Sunday, Abdullah Al Ali, director of the RTA Public Transport Agency’s Bus Department, said: “RTA Public Transport Agency is keen on broadening and upgrading its services to keep pace with the urbanisation and demographic expansion across the UAE.

“This particularly applies to Dubai which has a high profile as a regional economic and business center and a point of attraction for investors and businesspersons from the world over,” he added.

However, the announcement comes just one week after RTA spokesman Peyman Parham told Arabian Business that buses were running at “low capacity” across the emirate.

Parham also said he often saw empty buses because motorists were refusing to ditch their cars in a snub to public transport.

The new route was introduced following a field study carried out by the RTA to assess demand for bus services in Dubai, a press statement said.

It will pass several areas en-route, such as Dubai International Academy, Lakes Turnoff, Jebel Ali Racecourse and Emirates Holidays on Sheikh Zayed Road.

According to the RTA, the route will also travel past Trade Center Interchange; Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department; Shindagha Souk; Al Maktoum Road; Al Garhoud Interchange; Airport Terminal 1 (Arrivals); and Uptown Murdiff Centre.

After unveiling route X35, the RTA said more double-decker and standard buses had been deployed on current routes.

Meanwhile, two night services and the Global Village Routes had been discontinued on Feb. 21 following the end of Dubai Shopping Festival, the statement added.