Dubai to have solar-powered bus shelters

It's strange but true, the bus shelters in the emirate of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates located in the oil-rich Gulf will be run by solar power.

To start with, 400 solar-powered shelters will be constructed in the first phase in the emirate. The project, in fact, is thought to be a solution for providing shelters at places without electricity.

According to reports, these shelters will be powered by solar panels to light up the shelters as well as advertisements thereon.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said the project plans for 400 additional shelters both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned. With this the number of bus shelters will reach 1,285.

“Phase II of the Bus Shelters Project is part of the RTA’s continuous endeavours to maintain its excellence and pioneering drive through undertaking quality projects in Dubai. It is also part of a master plan to leverage the public transport sector along with associated infrastructure in the emirate with the aim of bringing happiness and comfort to riders especially during the blazing summer season.

“Through this project, the RTA seeks to provide an attractive element enticing people to use mass transit means and accordingly push the share of public transport in the daily mobility of persons in the emirate from six per cent in 2006 to 20 per cent in 2020 and further to 30 per cent by 2030. In 2014, the RTA succeeded in raising this rate to as much as 14 per cent,” said Al Tayer.

The newly-designed crescent-shaped shelters are manufactured of “high quality materials”, including paints that are resistant to heat, humidity and dust, Khaleej Times reported.

“They will also be fitted with modern air-conditioning systems and eight seats custom-made to give added convenience to users. The shelter, which can accommodate 13 to 16 individuals, is also friendly to the use of disabled persons, and will be fitted with screens directly linked with the control room of Public Transport Agency in order to transmit information about journeys and routes available,” Al Tayer said.

The RTA finished phase I of the project, that saw the construction of 885 shelters at 635 bus stops. Surveys of bus riders indicated a high rate of satisfaction with these shelters, said Al Tayer.

“The RTA is also mulling over the provision of distinctive services to shelters such as ATMs, and vendor machines of soft drinks/newspapers in densely-used shelters,” said Al Tayer.

The shelters will be fabricated of a reinforced polyester-covered aluminum.

June 28, 2015