World’s first AC bus stop is unveiled

DUBAI — The prototype of the world’s first air-conditioned bus shelter, one of the 500 to be installed in Dubai, was launched on Tuesday at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority's (RTA) headquarters.

By A Staff Reporter

Published: Wed 10 May 2006, 12:24 AM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 7:37 PM

The futuristically-designed, crescent shaped shelter, launched by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director, RTA, has a contemporary metallic finish and sliding glass doors. Over the next 18 months, more than 500 such bus shelters will be built all across Dubai to encourage people with additional comfort to opt for public transport buses.

The ultramodern bus shelters will have a range of facilities such as ATMs and vending machines for newspapers, snacks and soft drinks. Further, garbage will be collected in three recycling units outside the shelters for paper, glass and metal.

Speaking at the occasion, Al Tayer said, “The launch of this prototype is a sign of things to come, as RTA continues its commitment to transform Dubai's public transport infrastructure.”

He said the RTA wants to make sure that an increasing number of Dubai's residents are using the public transport system, which will in turn ease the flow of traffic on the roads. “The provision of high quality air-conditioned bus-shelters will not only go a long way in achieving this objective, it will also complement Dubai's rapid pace of development and progress,” he added.

The Dh17.5 million per annum contract for constructing the bus shelters has been awarded to Right Angle Media on build-operate-and transfer (BOT) basis for ten years. Right Angle Media will be investing in the project for the construction and maintenance of the shelters, for which RTA will make an annual payment of Dh17.5 million. The total construction cost will amount to Dh35.75 million, while the maintenance costs will be Dh3.5 million per annum.

“We will be making an investment of over Dh210 million over the coming decade in this project, and we hope to see more and more people to travel by bus,” revealed Abdul Aziz Malik, Director of Public Transport at the RTA. He said the air-conditioned bus shelters have been designed keeping the comfort and requirements of commuters in mind.

”Waiting for buses in the scorching heat can be hard and tiring for people and these modern bus shelters with an array of amenities will prove extremely beneficial to the large number of commuters,” Malik said.