Sharjah to deploy more buses during Eid break

Sharjah - Sharjah public buses will make 4,790 city and intercity trips during the three-day Eid holidays.

The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority will be increasing the number of public buses and trips for all city and intercity routes across the emirate during the Eid Al Fitr break.
A senior official on Wednesday said the public buses will make 4,790 city and intercity trips during the three-day Eid Al Fitr holidays to meet the pressing demand.
Abdul Abdulaziz Al Jarwan, Director of Transport Affairs, RTA Sharjah, said they will run 1,190 daily trips on public transport within Sharjah city. "These are 117 additional city trips as compared to 1,073 on regular days."
The RTA Sharjah will also run 3,600 trips every day on the intercity bus routes, he added. "These are 2,100 additional city trips as compared to 1,500 on other days."
Jarwan said up to 102 public buses have been deployed for commuting passengers within the city. "These are 34 extra buses in comparison to 68 buses on normal days."
Jarwan said they would extend shuttle service from 11pm to 12.30pm on all the 15 intercity routes which start from Al Jubail Bus Station at 5am. "The frequency period between the 300 buses in service shall not exceed three minutes, particularly during peak hours."
Noting that they have contracted four bus rental companies to meet the expected rush, he said the additional trips and buses are meant to make travelling easing for passengers, save time and effort, he noted. "The public may contact the RTA Sharjah Call Centre at (600525252) to get all the details of any bus."
Call centres, staff to work 24X7
Jarwan said they have also extended the service on the Sharjah - Abu Dhabi route till 12.30am. "The RTA Sharjah taxi fleet shall also be available round the clock to transport passengers anywhere and anytime, particularly from 4pm to 11pm."
Staff employees at the call centre will be deployed for longer hours on five shifts round the clock to answer passengers' queries, he underscored. "RTA Sharjah, in collaboration with the four franchise cab firms operative in the city, has prepared and checked all vehicles, particularly family and women only taxis to avoid any hassle."
The dispatch booking devices fixed at all cabs in Sharjah have been examined to ensure uninterrupted communication between the call centre and staff men and women cabbies.
"More cabs will be deployed at the Sharjah International Airport to accommodate the rush," he said, urging public to contact the call centre 24X7 to submit their feedbacks, inquiries, suggestions and complaints.
Dh10,000 fine on illegal cabs
More inspection patrols shall be deployed to curb illegal taxis, Jarwan said, warning that if an illegal taxi driver fails to stop when ordered by any judicially empowered staff inspector, a hefty fine of Dh10,000 shall be imposed even if it is the first such violation. "A fine of Dh5,000 will be imposed if the driver comes to the corporation and presents his licence." While a fine of Dh1,000 will be slapped if the driver forgets or fails to present his driving licence in person at the corporation.
"Most Sharjah Transport inspectors are based in certain areas known for such illegal loading. Some of these are Al Rumaitha area opposite the new Sharjah Traffic department, Al Qabael Shopping Centre, National Paints roundabout, and Al Wihda road."
Meanwhile, the authority has suspended all construction operations during the holiday to prevent traffic congestion. "RTA Sharjah is all set to start new development works on the King Faisal road stretching between King Faisal Bridge and Etihad roundabout opposite Abu Shagara and Qasimiya areas. The road will be completely blocked in collaboration with the Sharjah Police.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah