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MassTransit_March_2017

Project Update: Dubai’s Smart Shelters Promote Passenger Information By Maile Bucher When attracting riders to transit, enhanced passenger signage and amenities can take the rider’s experience to the next level. The Dubai Road and Transport Authority did just that with its Smart Shelters service. 18 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | MARCH 2017 max imum feedback at the initial stage,” said Al Ali. “These locations were selected carefully in more than 15 key areas in Dubai, such as Shaikh Zayed Road, Deira, Bur Dubai, Jumeirah, Karama, Al Qouz, Al Satwa, Al Qusais.” The Future Technology of Bus Stops Th is isn’t the fi rst time that RTA has off ered rider-friendly shelters. Th e agencies original shelters were also air-conditioned, created by Smart Shelter. Smart Shelter previously partnered with RTA for a two-year contract supplying coach catering, a luxury coach service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. “(More than) 1,000 air-conditioned bus shelters were originally installed in Dubai’s urban areas in 2004,” explained Rohit Dalmia, GM of Smart Shelter. “When the Smart Shelter concept was presented to the emirate’s RTA to retrofi t 100 of the most prominent bus shelters with the four key amenities: Wi-Fi access, mobile/cellphone recharge, utility bill payment and a convenience store. Th e government was extremely receptive and supportive of this initiative. “Th e move came as a result of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, to develop smart services across the emirate that serves both the public and commercial purpose.” Each Smart Shelter is open 24 hours and was designed to be very user friendly. Each shelter is fully HE DUBAI ROADS AND Transport Authority (RTA) introduced its Smart Shelters, which was part of the RTA’s mission to not only improve the infrastructure of the public transit system, but to also encourage riders to use its system. Th e Smart Shelters off er a number of amenities — including Wi-Fi, passenger arrival information, fare card kiosks, charging stations and refreshments for riders to puchase — revolutionizing how riders wait. Th e fi rst of the 100 shelters were rolled out in February 2016 and Mohammed Al Ali, director, planning and business development with RTA, said that they have since fi nished the twophased project. “RTA has completed the project. Currently smart service is operational at all the 100 locations. RTA has considered the public bus stops with the highest number of riders to ensure the Smart Shelter AN RTA rider using the Smart Shelters service while waiting. “... the most exciting aspect is the fact that we have found a niche in the market and are successfully managing to serve the public, as well as being commercially viable ...” - ROHIT Dalmia, GM, Smart Shelter


MassTransit_March_2017
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