The RTA announced yesterday that the buses would also have a system to automatically count the number of passengers and a tracking system connected to the control centre of the authority.

The Public Transport Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) would invite bids from international companies for the supply of 1,616 new and sophisticated buses this month.

Engineer Abdurrahman Al Dossari, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, said  the new buses would be of different sizes and designs with the highest standards of safety and security, in addition to modern features.

“These features include electronic announcements about stations, automatic passenger counting system and a tracking device which would be connected to the control centre of the RTA. The centre would know exactly through which location a particular bus is moving and where it gets stranded,” said Al Dossari.

The number of buses would rise to 2,500 in 2009 which would cover 95 per cent of Dubai.

The entire public transport system, including buses, taxis, marine services and coming Dubai Metro, would be interconnected, the official said.

He said through the purchase of the buses, the Public Transport Agency aimed to increase the capacity of the mass transit modes to 30 per cent and discourage people from using private cars.

“It also aims to raise the awareness and change the cultural and social outlook about the use of mass transit modes,” he added.

Al Dossari confirmed that the agency was preparing the Bus Master Plan whose recommendations would be adopted in the organising of the bus services.

The project included dedicated lanes for buses for speedy and safe transport, use of modern technology and development of the public transport network, in addition to building new stations in Jebel Ali, Al Qouz, Motor City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Jebel Ali Airport and Al Qusais.