Dubai's RTA starts six new bus routes

Six new bus routes would be inaugurated on Saturday, Aug 1 that will cover several locations in the emirate of Dubai, and offer feeder service to Dubai Metro, according to a senior official at the Roads & Transport Authority.

Essa Abdul Rahman Al Dossari, CEO of RTA's Public Transport Agency revealed that all the new six routes would start from Ibn Battuta Metro Station to cover several areas in the emirate; rendering mobility on public transport modes in Dubai a fast, smooth and effective exercise.

"RTA is keen on widening public transport network to cope with the urban and demographic expansion of the emirate. Metro stations feeder bus service is one of the strategic initiatives and prime pillars of the drive to boost the share of public transport modes in the number of person trips made as it contributes to enticing more commuters across the community segments to use public transport in their daily travels. The increased ridership of public transport modes will have a positive impact on traffic flow, improve the environment, ease traffic jams, reduce traffic accidents, boost traffic safety and considerably cut pollution levels resulting from massive numbers of private cars on road" said Al Dossari.

He further elaborated: The new six routes comprise (F41) Route which kicks off from Ibn Battuta Metro Station to Jumeirah Island passing through several areas including Jebel Ali Gardens (1,2,3).

Six buses are deployed on this route from Sunday to Thursday, four buses on Fridays, and six buses on Saturdays, at 10 minutes interval (headway) between services. They include (F43) Route, which also starts from Ibn Battuta Metro Station and serves many areas such as Jebel Ali Gardens and Discovery Gardens.

Five buses are deployed on this route from Sunday to Thursday, three buses on Fridays and four buses on Saturdays, at 10 minutes interval between services. There is also (F44) Route, which also starts from Ibn Battuta Metro Station and serves Jebel Ali Gardens. 4 buses are deployed on this route from Sunday to Thursday, two buses on Fridays and three buses on Saturdays, at 10 minutes interval between services.

"The other three routes are (F46) Route shuttling between Ibn Battuta Metro Station to Dubai Lagoons passing through several locations such as The Green Community and Dubai Investment Park.

Eleven buses are deployed on this route from Sunday to Thursday, nine buses on Fridays and 11 buses on Saturdays, at 10 minutes interval between services. In addition to that there is (F50) Route starting from Ibn Battuta Metro Station to Jebel Ali Bus Station, passing through several locations in the vicinity of JAFZA.

Nine buses are deployed on this route from Sunday to Thursday, six buses on Fridays and eight buses on Saturdays, at 10 minutes interval between services. The remaining Route (F53) provides shuttle service starting from Ibn Battuta Metro Station to Dubai Industrial City passing through Jebel Ali Industrial areas. 16 buses are deployed on this route from Sunday to Thursday, 11 buses on Fridays and 15 buses on Saturdays, at 10 minutes interval between services. Type of buses allocated to this route is standard buses," he added.

In a concluding remark Al Dossari signaled that RTA is set to open more feeder bus routes for Dubai Metro Stations in the very near future.