Abu Dhabi's Department of Transport (DoT) is spending Dh100 million for the installation of 550 air-conditioned bus shelters across the capital city.
The department yesterday inaugurated 20 shelters that are now operational on some of the key routes in the city.
"The prototype was unveiled in November 2008. We started the installation on June 3 as part of the first phase. The 550 shelters, costing Dh100m, will be installed in six phases, each with 80 units. By 2011, we will have all of them operational, if there are no delays in manufacturing or other technical impediments," Saeed Al Hameli, Bus Office General Manager at DoT, told Emirates Business.
When asked if the number of shelters will be increased after 2011, he said it all depends on the demand and expansion of bus stops.
"There is a new study looking into the requirement of more shelters beyond 2011. We have floated tenders for 550 and the implementation is on. All of them will be installed and operational by the end of 2010 in six phases. The number of shelters will be increased according to the study's result, as it is an ongoing process to provide transport services," he said.
Al Hameli said the shelters are being provided by a local company to the best available international standards.
"We try to use the best available technology in shelters with maximum comfort for commuters."
Currently, 115 buses are running on nine routes in Abu Dhabi city, transporting up to 65,000 passengers daily. Fifty more buses will be deployed by the end of this month and the number is expected to increase to 500 by the end of the year.
"We have already received 176 buses as part of our 500-bus order, and 60 of them are being deployed on various routes. We are also expanding our route network with a gradual deployment. We are in the process of tendering orders for 860 more buses," said Al Hameli.
The official added that by the end of 2010, Abu Dhabi will have 1,200 buses with 550 air-conditioned shelters on 60 routes across city.
"This is our plan and it all depends on the delivery of the vehicles."
Al Hameli said the department will soon announce a master plan for the bus networking system, with details of routes, number of bus stops, ticketing system, timetables and average travel time from one destination to another.
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