RTA Launches On-Demand Bus Service in Dubai

By: Anas Assaf

February 18,2018

2 min read

210

Tags:

Dubai

RTA

on-demand bus service

public transport

MVMANT app

transportation innovation

On-Demand Bus Service by RTA in Dubai

Details of the New Service

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has launched a new "on-demand bus service" that will be tested in Al Barsha and Al Wurayah areas over the next three months. This service, which is based on an app, will allow passengers to use the MVMANT application to request a bus that will transport them from their location to the nearest public transport station. During this trial, six buses will operate, and the service will be free of charge.

Statements from Officials

Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency at RTA, stated: "The buses, each accommodating 18 passengers, will operate on flexible routes and schedules, with the application providing necessary information to the bus driver." Passengers in the area can benefit from the service via their smartphones, allowing them to track their route from the starting point to their desired destination, select their preferred seats, and pay fares." Bahrozyan added that this service will offer an innovative solution for commuting to and from users' homes to the nearest public transport station.

Preparations Before Launch

Before launching this initiative, the RTA conducted site surveys and opinion polls covering 1,750 passengers (63% male and 37% female). The percentage of individuals aged between 25 and 34 years was 53%. According to the RTA, the site survey was based on several factors, including:

Demographics of service users
Car ownership
Transportation options
Nearest public transport stations
Preferred commuting options such as walking distance and waiting time

Evaluation of the Trial Service

During the trial period, the service's efficiency will be evaluated based on:

Accessibility for passengers
Response time
Duration of the trip to the desired destination

A survey will be conducted at the Al Barsha and Al Wurayah metro stations to gather more insights on users' needs, opinions, and suggestions regarding the service before its wide-scale launch.