Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Sunday, December 7, the completion of 595 new bus passenger shelters. This is part of a larger initiative to introduce 762 shelters throughout key areas in the emirate.
The shelter locations were strategically selected to serve densely populated urban areas, align with current and future operational needs, and integrate with alternative mobility options such as walking and cycling. The RTA highlighted that some shelters will support more than 10 bus routes, collectively serving over 192 million passengers each year.
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Four Categories of Shelters
The new shelters are designed to reduce travel time, enhance network efficiency, and increase public transport usage among residents.
These shelters boast a modern design and are equipped with various amenities to enhance passenger comfort, convenience, and safety. The project is now 89% complete, with the remaining shelters under construction, targeting high-traffic routes.
The RTA has classified the shelters into four categories based on daily passenger usage:
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Primary stop: Over 750 passengers per day
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Secondary stop: Between 250 and 750 passengers per day
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Basic stop: Between 100 and 250 passengers per day
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Boarding and alighting stop: Fewer than 100 passengers per day
A section of the primary shelters is designated as an air-conditioned area, complemented by shaded outdoor seating and advertising spaces. These shelters also include information display screens with bus network maps, schedules, and other essential passenger information.
“The new shelters are a crucial advancement in RTA’s mission to create an integrated urban environment encouraging public transport use, improving life quality, and promoting comfort and well-being. RTA is dedicated to offering modern, comfortable, and secure facilities that enhance the bus network’s appeal and cater to Dubai’s expanding population,” stated Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA.
He mentioned that the shelters align with Dubai’s long-term vision to offer safe, modern, and accessible public transport solutions that address the needs of an expanding urban population.
“We ensured the new shelters merge modern aesthetic design with services that promise a better mobility experience, boosting public trust in the transport network and supporting sustainability goals such as emission reduction. The shelters accommodate numerous bus routes, with some handling over ten routes per shelter, thus boosting network efficiency, cutting travel times, and promoting public transport reliance.”
