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29 March 2024

Jebel Ali Bus Depot to open in February

Published
By Staff

The Jebel Ali Bus Depot will be up and running as early as the beginning of next February, involving a further addition to bus depots constructed at Al Khawaneej, Al Rawiyya and Al Awir to serve the daily bus movement, asid Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA).

Al Tayer made this statement during a visit he recently made to inspect the work progress in Jebel Ali Bus Depot during which he was accompanied by the CEO of Public Transport Agency Essa Abdul Rahman Al Dosari, the CEO of Corporate Technical Support Services Sector Abdullah Al Madani, and the Acting CEO of Traffic & Roads Agency Nabil Mohammed Salih in addition to several directors & engineers.

Phase I of the Depot includes the construction of a boundary wall for the site, constructing internal streets, bus stops, workshop and drivers accommodation as well as public utility networks (water, electricity, sewage). The depot has a capacity to house about 300 buses (standard, articulated and double deck buses) and is fitted with 24 bays capable of accommodating 36 buses at a time to carry out washing, cleaning and catering services. The Deport also includes an office space for 50 employees and four residential blocks to house 1200 bus drivers employed at the Public Transport Agency where one block with a capacity to accommodate 300 drivers will be constructed in the first Phase.

Al Tayer directed the attendants of the projects to erect signage directing to the location of the Depot at various roads leading to the location such as Sheikh Zayed Road and Emirates Road. He also directed to improve the approaches of entrances leading to the depot and address all traffic safety aspects on these roads.

Al Tayer stated that this project was part of RTA master plan to upgrade RTA mass transportation on buses with the aim of attracting new commuters and hence contributing to easing roads congestions. These highly sophisticated buses feature top quality specifications, affordable fare and wide geographical coverage and as such provide a big boost to the integration of mass transit modes spanning public buses, Dubai Metro and marine modes. The plan also encompasses broadening the construction of air-conditioned bus shelters, introduction of electronic systems such as the journey planner “Wojhati”, automatic bus management scheme, unified card scheme, and real time passenger information system, in addition to “Sharekni” and “Awselni” programmes.

“In this regard RTA has renovated Al Awir Bus Depot which comprises 28 bays fitted with sophisticated systems & technical equipment for carrying out maintenance works, mechanical & electrical repairs, and advanced measuring & testing equipment. The depot also includes spare parts stores and warehouses as well as offices for employees and technicians. The Workshop is designed at a 9-meter height so as to accommodate double-deck buses and equipped with several cranes to lift articulated buses.

“RTA has also constructed and commissioned a bus depot at Al Rawiyya costing about Dh400 million. The initial phase of the project, costing about Dh205 million, comprises a bus parking yard capable of housing 295 buses (144 standard buses and 151 articulated buses) in addition to an electromechanical maintenance workshop with a capacity to accommodate 20 buses at a time, a supply line for 12 buses and a washing unit for 20 buses at a time. Phase II of the Project includes the construction of an administration office for about 40 employees in addition to drivers quarters with a capacity to house 444 drivers. These units contain rooms, toilets, wash basins, dining halls and recreational facilities. Also comes under this Phase is the construction of investment buildings spanning an area of 3005 square meters containing food courts, shops, and a mosque with a capacity of 250 prayers.

“Last August RTA opened Al Khawaneej bus depot and the facility has a waiting yard with a capacity to house 284 buses (146 standard buses and 138 articulated buses). It also has an electromechanical workshop with a capacity to house 20 buses at a time in addition to a supply line for 13 buses, a washing/cleaning station to house 12 buses at a time, and an administrative office for about 40 employees,” said Al Tayer in a final remark.