Sheikh Hamdan told of e-scooter trial during talks on future of transport sector

Crown Prince of Dubai was briefed on plans to keep the emirate on the move during tour of bus station

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  Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, officially opens the Al Ghubaiba Bus Station. All pictures courtesy of Sheikh Hamdan's Twitter account

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  Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed toured the new Al Ghubaiba Bus Station. Courtesy: Sheikh Hamdan Twitter

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  Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on ambitious plans for the future of transport in Dubai

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  Sheikh Hamdan was told how Dubai aims to keep commuters on the move in the years ahead

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed officially opened a new bus station in Dubai as he was told of plans to roll out an e-scooter trial in the emirate next week.

The Crown Prince of Dubai toured the sprawling 2,452 square metre environment-friendly Al Ghubaiba Bus Station.

The bus station can serve up to 15,000 passengers per day, with more than 10,000 estimated to use the station daily.

Sheikh Hamdan was briefed by Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, director general of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, on the transport sector's move towards the future.

He was told of  plans to upgrade 17 bus stations and stops to meet the influx of visitors expected for Expo 2020 Dubai next year.

Sheikh Hamdan was kept up to date with plans for an e-scooter trial, which is set to get under way next week.

The project is supported by local companies Arnab and Skurrt and international operators Careem, Lime and Tier.

"We were briefed on the e-scooter pilot project, which was launched as a partnership between two local companies and three global counterparts," said Sheikh Hamdan.

"It is our goal to introduce new public services in Dubai as part of enriching the city’s smart infrastructure."

The RTA will start the trial-run of scooters in five zones of the emirate: Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard; Dubai Internet City; 2nd of December St, Al Rigga and Jumeirah Lakes Towers.

Al Ghubaiba Bus Station is home to restaurants, shops, customer service areas and office space and has 50 spaces for buses and 48 for other vehicles.

It includes a stand with room for 34 taxis and 60 docking stations for bicycles.

Sheikh Hamdan reviewed the transport authority's Cycling Tracks Plan 2021, which involves the  construction of cycling lanes extending 88km across eight districts.

Priority has been given to the construction of tracks in three districts, spanning total of 31km.

The first 16km stretch extends from Jumeirah Beach, parallel to the existing pedestrian track, passes along Al Sufouh Street before linking with the existing cycling track at the King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street. 
The second 7km route runs from the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard to the cycling track on Jumeirah Street in the DIFC district and the 2nd of December Street.

The third (8 km) section links cycling tracks at Al Khawaneej and Al Warqaa through the Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street and Tripoli Street.
"Until the commencement of 2020, RTA constructed cycling tracks extending 425km and intends to extend them further to as much as 647 km by 2025," said Mr Al Tayer.

"This massive infrastructure project realises the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to bring happiness to people and switch to a sustainable transport model characterised by minimal pollution to the environment.

“The project is also aligned with the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed to make Dubai a bicycle-friendly city that encourages people to practice cycling as a sport. It also forms part of the Dubai Vision 2021, which aims to strengthen the emirate’s position as the world’s most preferred and safest place to live, work and visit."