The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) is to buy 518 Citea buses from the Netherlands-based company VDL, in a deal worth Dh845.74 million. Also the RTA has signed an eight-year fleet maintenance and service agreement for Dh1.050 billion. The announcement was made by Mattar Al Tayer, the chairman of the board and executive director of RTA today. "Purchasing these new buses is part of a comprehensive strategic plan developed by Roads and Transport Authority to upgrade mass transport in Dubai and attract new commuters in an effort to reduce road traffic congestion," said Mr Al Tayer. "RTA is seeking to boost the share of mass transport to up to 30 per cent of person trips in the emirate; through provision of mass transport alternatives of high quality, reasonable cost and wide geographical coverage to compete private vehicles," he said. "Such a drive will also be assisted by spreading the awareness, orienting the culture and social outlook about the use of mass transport means, and fostering integration between various mass transport systems, such as public buses, Dubai Metro and marine transport service."
"The new buses will be deployed on feeder lines of Dubai Metro stations. Each bus mis 12 metres long and can carry 68 passengers. They are equipped with a hi-tech air-conditioning system and top security and safety standards. The design was tailored to serve the requirements of special needs people with a low-floor and a dedicated entrance and seating area. The buses are fully-equipped with state-of-the-art passenger information systems, a real time vehicle monitoring system and automated fare collection system." * The National
