Cool way to travel in Dubai

After the luxury malls, the skyscrapers, the man-made islands and the daring architecture, Dubai's next landmark development will be air-conditioned bus stop shelters.

Dubai will be the first city in the world to offer the luxury of air-conditioned bus stops, said Abdul Aziz Abdullah Malek, the city's Director of Public Transport.

The aim is to lure people into using the city's public transport, and ease the pressure on its over-crowded highways.

"We have planned to provide air-conditioned shelters at bus stops as part of our plans to upgrade public transport services in the emirate," Malek said.

He told Gulf News in an interview that 500 of the emirate's 1,200 bus stops would initially be upgraded to air-conditioned luxury.

At present only a few bus stops in Dubai offer shade from the sun and waiting for the bus is an unpleasant experience. On Monday, the temperature in Dubai reached a scorching 47.5 Celsius.

"The project is in the tendering stage and will soon be rolling," Malek said. "We want to offer luxury travelling facilities to people using public transport buses. It will also help attract more people to use buses."

The new bus stops will have state-of-the-art electronic information boards showing the timing of bus services, routes and information on delays. They will also have ample seating for waiting passengers, electronic ticket vending machines and soft drinks.

"We are on the way to developing one of the world's best public transport systems and this is one of the first big steps to achieve the target," Malek said. The project is expected to start later this year.

He said the main aim of upgrading the facilities is to change the mindset of people that public transport is only used by labourers. "It is for all the residents and we expect every one to travel in our buses and help reduce traffic congestion," Malek added.

He said the municipality would also build modern luxury bus terminals also air-conditioned to replace the existing bus stations in Dubai.

"The first bus terminal will be built at Al Ghubaiba bus and taxi stand in Bur Dubai," he said.

Eventually all the nine bus stations in Bur Dubai and Deira will have multi-storey air-conditioned bus terminals. The terminals will have comfortable seating in the waiting area, restaurants, cafeterias and a shopping area. Parking area will also be provided.

The new terminals will cater to the increasing demand for bus services. "They will serve both intra-city and inter-emirate bus services," Malek said.

REACTION
Residents welcome plan

Residents have welcomed Dubai Municipality's move to have air-conditioned bus stop shelters in the city.

Thomas Black from England said that it would be a major step forward. "In the summer, it is very uncomfortable waiting for buses both during the day and the evening. Air-conditioned bus shelters will encourage more people to use buses," he said.

Smriti Singh, an Indian account manager, said it is a great idea. "Considering the hot weather conditions in Dubai, it will be a blessing and big relief for people using buses," she said.

Mansoor Khan, a Pakistani sales executive, said the air-conditioned shelters would certainly be a great relief for people.