8 bus substations in Sharjah this year

The Sharjah Transport has honoured its 14 quality controllers, other proactive staffers and the most interactive drivers for the excellence in their work at the third annual forum of the corporation.

Abdullah Al Zari, Director-General of the Sharjah Transport, said at the forum that the corporation had seen massive and significant developments in its shuttle service, bus stops, cab crew and advanced systems in the last year.

Al Zari said the Emirates Cab won the top three awards for quality service, customer service and general performance while the Sharjah Taxi was awarded for its distinguished financial performance. Al Zari then announced that the Sharjah Transport accomplished a number of vital projects in 2011 at a cost of Dh55.5 million. “These included the installation of many bus stops worth Dh26 million across the Sharjah city, added to the main bus station and staff accommodation.”

He said the corporation purchased over 700 vehicles, costing around Dh50 million. “The Dh30-million dispatch system launched in 2011 was also a quantum leap in the shuttle service being provided to the public.

“The Sharjah Transport paid Dh190 million in compensation to the Emirati owners of old taxis in the emirate over the last seven years from 2005 to 2011. These included Dh33.7 million in 2011.” The corporation, in cooperation with the Public Works Department in Sharjah, adopted the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) initiative to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. “The technical studies of such bus-only lanes are being done.”

The corporation, deeply believing in the importance of corporate social responsibility, paid Dh6 million in donation to public social care activities and strategic partnerships in the emirate in collaboration with the NGOs and government departments.

“Some Dh10 million have been dedicated as well for low income Emirati employees in different departments,” he said.

“Some eight sub bus stations, worth Dh55 million, are to be constructed by the fourth quarter of this year in line with the highest international standards,” he added.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com