The arrival of 250 new buses within a contract that includes 735 buses

The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai announced the arrival of the first batch of new buses, numbering 250 buses, as part of a contract that includes the purchase of 735 buses of various sizes, conforming to European specifications for low carbon emissions, “Euro 6”, including 40 electric buses that are considered the largest and first of their kind in the country. The supply of buses will be completed during the current year.

The Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai, Mattar Al Tayer, inspected the “Zhongtong” electric bus, which is the first bus to be operated on urban lines in Dubai, and was specifically designed to suit the operational conditions in the emirate, as it has an operational range of up to 280 kilometers on a single refill, which enables it to complete its daily trips without the need to return to accommodation stations to recharge, and the battery size is 434 kilowatt-hours. Powered by an ABB charger, with a capacity of 360 kW.

During the trip, he listened to an explanation about the bus, which is 12 meters long, can accommodate 70 passengers, is equipped with a 360-degree camera system, has international safety specifications, holds international accreditation certificates, and operates with an advanced battery cooling system that is compatible with the climatic conditions in the country. It was tested in Dubai for more than three months, and the stages of examination and trial operation of the electric bus showed positive results, in the stability of the electric propulsion system and the efficiency of energy consumption, in addition to the safety of the main systems, such as The battery, cooling, and brakes, in addition to their effectiveness in working on operational lines, in terms of energy efficiency, braking response, and air conditioning and cooling performance with the vehicle’s stability in cases of frequent stopping and changing speeds, in addition to recording a high satisfaction rate from drivers and passengers, amounting to 95%.

Al Tayer confirmed that the purchase of the new buses comes in implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, to provide a sustainable and flexible mass transportation system that contributes to facilitating the movement of residents and visitors, improving the quality of life, enhancing Dubai’s global competitiveness as an attractive center for international events, and achieving a targeted goal. Dubai Urban Plan 2040, also comes within the framework of an integrated strategic plan developed by the Authority to improve the public transportation system in the Emirate of Dubai in accordance with international best practices, provide the best services to users of public transportation, and keep pace with the continuous growth in the number of users of public transportation buses, and the Authority’s keenness for public transportation to be the preferred option for population transportation.

Al Tayer said: “The next phase will see a gradual increase in the number of electric buses operating in the emirate, in line with national trends to reduce the carbon footprint, achieve climate neutrality by 2050, and support Dubai’s D33 economic agenda, which aims to strengthen Dubai’s position as one of the largest urban economies in the world. These efforts also support the Roads and Transport Authority’s strategy (Zero-emission public transportation in Dubai 2050), which aims to convert all buses, taxis and limousines to zero-emission vehicles.” Emissions, through which the Authority seeks to convert 100% of public transportation buses to electric and hydrogen buses by 2050.”

The contract includes the purchase of 40 “Zhongtong” electric buses, with Gulf specifications that have been tried and tested in the region, and 549 buses to serve the city, including 400 MAN buses, and 149 “Zhongtong” buses, with high specifications of safety, luxury and quality. They are equipped with an environmentally friendly “Euro 6” engine and are classified in the second category of the United Nations vehicle classification “Class II”, which gives flexibility in Operating buses on urban lines and on long-distance “Inter-Urban” highways. The contract also includes the purchase of 76 double-decker buses of the “VOLVO” type and 70 articulated buses of the “Isuzu Anadolu” type to serve urban areas with high population density and serve new areas, to provide greater coverage of the geographical scope of Dubai and raise the occupancy rate.

Most buses are equipped with a “Driver Behavior Monitoring System” to monitor and improve drivers’ behavior, through the use of innovative technologies to enhance safety standards on buses, and an electronic “Automated Passenger Counting” system, to record the actual number of passengers compared to the automated collection payment system, with the aim of reducing fare evasion, as well as an electronic system to identify the driver inside the bus “Driver Identity Authentication” and linking it to the operating system. The buses will also be equipped with comfortable seats and high safety standards, and seat belts in the area designated for families that can be adjusted. To suit all age groups, the streamlined design reflects the image of modernity in Dubai.

The new buses are equipped with smart and advanced systems that enhance levels of safety and luxury, including a driver behavior monitoring system, an automated passenger counting system, and an electronic driver identification system linking it to operating systems, in addition to high equipment for safety and comfort standards, such as comfortable seats, seat belts, and a modern interior design that reflects the image of modern Dubai. The design of the buses took into account the provision of a low entrance to facilitate the boarding and disembarking of people of determination, designated seats for children, bicycle places, Wi-Fi services, and phone charging ports. And high-quality interior finishes, in addition to adopting a national protocol for examining standard fuel consumption, which is the first of its kind in the Gulf, which contributes to improving operating efficiency and enhancing financial and environmental sustainability.

Mattar Al Tayer:

• “Buses” comply with European specifications for carbon emissions (Euro 6).