30% discount on bus fares for students in Ajman

Ajman - Special cards will be issued starting March.

High school and university students in Ajman will soon be entitled to a 30 per cent discount on bus fares in the emirate, the Ajman Transportation Authority (ATA) has announced. Special cards will be issued to them starting March.

Omar bin Omair Al Muhairi, director-general of the ATA, said the discount was introduced to support the youth and encourage them to maximise the emirate's expanding public transport system.

The initiative was among the latest updates revealed by the authority. In a recent announcement, it also said a Dh4-million fund has been earmarked to build 72 new bus stops around the city.

Al Muhairi said the project will bring the number of the city's bus stops to 135, covering 50 per cent of the area.

The expansion comes as public transport demand increases in the emirate, according to the ATA. Figures show that on average, some 9,000 commuters are travelling around Ajman every day.

More new buses, services

Earlier, the ATA announced a Dh50-million transportation project for the emirate this year.

Under the massive plan, Dh20 million has been allocated to purchase a total of 40 new buses. Central Ajman's Al Musalla station will be developed at a cost of Dh5 million, and the 'Speed' vehicle inspection centre shall be expanded with a Dh25-million fund.

The ATA is also working on introducing new hybrid vehicles to its Sawary Limousine service fleet, with the aim of supporting private transport.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com