RTA unit instals 645 air-conditioned bus shelters at 456 Dubai locations

The Public Transport Agency at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that its work teams have installed and operated 645 air-conditioned bus shelters in 456 locations across Dubai.

The Director of Buses Department at Public Transport Agency, Abdulla Yousef Al Ali, said work is in full swing despite difficulties facing this vital project.

"Recently a number of observations were raised regarding the performance of air-conditioners inside these shelters. Users complained the ACs were not providing sufficient cooling in the shelters. From our part we confirm that these air-conditioners are in fact highly efficient but the drop in their performance is attributed to the misuse on the part of some passengers who leave the door open for long periods.

"This triggers the air-conditioner to stop for a certain period, which negatively impacts the quality of air-conditioning inside the shelter, rendering it vulnerable to outdoor weather which is already witnessing soaring mercury levels these days. Moreover, some stations have been installed but they are not fully operational as construction works, including cabling, have not been completed yet," said Al Ali.

He appealed to users of these air-conditioned bus shelters to properly use these shelters, which are considered one of the prime facilities provided by RTA to Dubai residents as a service to a wide spectrum of community segments.

"These shelters are meant to provide a comfortable environment for waiting passengers and a key pillar in integrating mass transit modes in the emirate," he said.

"The underlying objective of providing this service is to encourage the public to use public buses, enabling them to benefit from innovative and globally pioneering solutions that create a comfortable environment instead of waiting for buses under the blazing sun during summer.

"This project is a cornerstone of the drive to broaden, renovate and integrate public transport sector; spanning deploying of ultra-modern buses from specialised international manufacturers," said Al Ali.

"These shelters are modeled after the shape of the crescent, coated with metallic paint, and fitted with advanced air-conditioning systems. They include prime ad spaces, while enabling cleaner environment through providing garbage recycling bins among other facilities," he added.

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