The 94 new buses will serve eight existing and nine new routes…

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have introduced 94 medium-sized buses known as Optare Midi Buses to cover residential routes in Dubai. The first of their kind in the UAE, the buses can accommodate 41 passengers, with 32 seats and space for nine to stand.

The new buses will serve eight existing and nine new routes, although it’s not currently clear exactly in which areas. RTA aims to reach new geographical areas, including metro link buses routes, low-demand routes, and routes serving residential areas which do not require the operation of large buses.

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Light-weight and fuel efficient, the buses also have on-board wifi and USB charging ports, in-line with RTA’s efforts to make public transport the ideal choice of mobility in Dubai. All of the buses have low-floor doors and a seat specifically to aid people of determination.

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said: “The delivery of the new batch of buses is part of RTA’s masterplan to improve public transport in Dubai and keep pace with the top international standards. Our objective is to deliver best-in-class services to public transport commuters and match the sustained growth in the number of riders.”

RTA aims to ‘raise the percentage of public transport journeys to 26 per cent by 2030, which requires providing public transport options characterised by high performance, affordable cost and wide geographical coverage’.

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Images: RTA