Dubai RTA Announces Dh1.1 Billion Deal To Buy Over 600 New Buses

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently awarded a contract for the purchase of 636 buses of various sizes. RTA said that the fleet, which includes 40 electric buses, complies with the European specifications for low carbon emissions. The initiative mainly aims to establish a sustainable and resilient public transport system in the emirate. Delivery of the buses is scheduled for 2024 and 2025.

The contract, worth Dh1.1 billion, includes the purchase of 40 electric buses from Zhongtong and 450 city service buses, including 400 MAN buses and 50 Zhongtong buses. The contract also includes 76 double-decker buses from Volvo and 70 articulated buses to serve high-density urban areas and new districts. It is worth mentioning that the buses are compatible with RTA's Public Transport Zero Emissions in Dubai 2050 Strategy to convert all buses, taxis, and limousines to zero-emission vehicles.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said that most of the buses will feature the Driver Behaviour Monitoring System to monitor and improve driver conduct using innovative technologies. The buses will also feature an Automated Passenger Counting (APC) system and an electronic Driver Identity Authentication system. "The procurement of these new buses is part of a master plan to elevate the public transport system in Dubai to bring it in line with the top international standards," Mattar Al Tayer added in the statement.