Each year, the number of people that use public transportation systems in Dubai such as buses, goes up. It has been on the rise for a few years now, and to cope with that, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently signed a contract with Sweden's Volvo for procuring more buses. The order for the B8RLE models, worth AED 474 million, will see up to 373 new buses joining the pre-existing RTA fleet of 198 units - taking the total number to 571 buses.
Volvo will start delivering the new buses to the RTA from Q3 of 2019, with the final ones coming in by Q2 of 2020. It is estimated that the total number of buses operated by the RTA in Dubai between 2018 and 2020 will go up by 30 per cent.
As for the buses themselves, the order is for Volvo's widely-popular B8RLE model, and each of the 373 units will all be EURO VI compliant. According to the Swedish marque, the Dubai RTA's order is the largest yet it has received for this type of bus anywhere in the Middle East region. The overall cost of the dead with Volvo not only includes the purchase cost of the buses themselves, but also a 10-year comprehensive maintenance contract, which includes coverage for tires and batteries as well.
HÃ¥kan Agnevall, President of Volvo Buses said, “We are very proud and grateful for the confidence the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority once again places in Volvo Buses. This tender was evaluated based on a 10-year Total Cost of Ownership comparison, including fuel and operational costs, and Volvo came out as the most competitive alternative. The order is a recognition of the long term relationship we have built and the value we deliver to the RTA. The Euro VI Volvo B8RLE is a well-proven platform and continues to set the industry standard for fuel efficiency, drivability and lifecycle costs.”
The Volvo B8RLE buses are equipped with low-entry floors to allow easier access for people of determination. They also come with dedicated seats for children, Wi-Fi connection, USB charging ports, and premium interiors with ergonomically setup seats. Each of the buses will be fitted with interactive touchscreen displays which will provide journey information to the riders. Meanwhile, the RTA's latest acquisitions will come pre-installed with several modern safety features such as Volvo's electronically-operated braking system and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).
The buses are also specified with additional features that include a Driver Behaviour Monitoring or Raqeeb System, Volvo I-coaching package, ITxPT system that enables interoperability between IT systems in public transport, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) for fleet tracking, and an Automated Passenger Counting or Rasid System that works in tandem with the Automated Fare Collection System to prevent fare evasion.
H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA explained, “Buses have Onboard Driver Identity Electronic Authentication System linked with the bus operation system. Buses have comfortable and high-safety seats, safety belts in the family section adjustable to suit all ages, and a smooth design replicating Dubai's modernity. Ninety-nine of these buses has a unique interior setting them apart from other buses. They have more room for standing passengers, thus increases the total number of riders served, which is a practical solution for short-distance commuting.”
According to the RTA, one of the most primary reasons for selecting the new Volvo B8RLE models had to do with their compatibility with European Carbon Emission Standards. These buses will help the RTA to significantly reduce their carbon footprint, along with boosting safety and environmentally sustainable means of transport for riders in Dubai.
