Dubai adds prayer areas, improves waiting spaces as it upgrades 22 bus stations

Dubai has upgraded 22 bus stations across the emirate, including 16 passenger stations and 6 bus depots.

The emirate's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) renovated passenger waiting areas, pavements, and building facades. As part of the upgrade, prayer areas were also provided at select locations.

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The improvements took place at nine passenger bus stations in Deira and seven in Bur Dubai, which serve 110 bus routes with a peak-hour capacity of around 710 buses.

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Upgrades were also conducted at six major bus depots in Al Khawaneej, Al Qusais, Al Ruwayah, Al Awir, Jebel Ali, and Al Quoz. The works included revamping workshops, preparing dedicated lanes for inspection and maintenance and installing engine washing systems.

In addition, the authority improved driver accommodation facilities, lighting and drainage networks, security systems infrastructure, and redesigned bus parking areas for efficiency.

"The project complements RTA’s efforts to enhance the public transport infrastructure and encourage residents to use mass transit for their daily commuting," said Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority.

Dubai will also soon get 637 new public buses complying with the European “Euro 6” low-emission standards — the first of their kind in the Middle East and North Africa. The delivery will take place in 2025 and 2026.

RTA recently signed an agreement to procure these buses, which includes 40 fully electric, zero-emission buses from Zhongtong, tailored to Gulf specifications and tested regionally.

Each electric bus is 12 metres long and accommodates 72 passengers. This represents the largest and first-of-its-kind electric bus contract in the UAE. 

The emirate's bus procurement efforts also includes the supply of 451 city buses:

• 400 12-metre MAN buses with a capacity of 86 passengers

• 51 12-metre Zhongtong buses, accommodating 72 passengers

• 76 double-decker VOLVO buses, 13 metres long with a capacity of 98 passengers

• 70 articulated Isuzu Anadolu buses, 18 metres long with a capacity of 111 passengers

These vehicles are specifically intended for high-density urban areas and emerging communities, supporting broader geographic coverage across Dubai while enhancing occupancy rates. 

• Dubai

Khaleej Times Staff

webteam@khaleejtimes.com