MARCH 2017 | MassTransitmag.com | Mass Transit | 19 contained, and air-conditioned, keeping riders out of extreme temperatures while they wait for their bus. A partnership was formed with Wi-Fi UAE, Charge Up for mobile/cellphone charging and MBME for the bill payment system. A Plan with Riders in Mind “RTA set up a goal for the Happiness of Dubai people, which encourage all sectors and agencies to develop projects to match it. One of the major services provided is the public transport buses that covers a high percentage of the commuters daily,” said Al Ali. “Accordingly, we have monitored our customer’s feedback and requirements which mainly focused on NOL cards top-up facilities and bus trips timing. “RTA has developed a concept that provides those requirements, as well as additional pioneering services, that exceeds their expectation.” Dalmia explained, “We, in collaboration with the RTA, conducted customer surveys to determine what the commuter required while waiting for their ride, as well as passersby in the area. Based on the fi ndings, we initiated services that were practical and feasible.” Dalmia said that the 100 shelters were converted over a nine-month period. Th e project was funded and implemented through a public-private partnership (P3). “Initially, the air-conditioned shelters project has been implemented in a similar P3 model. Th is project is a continuation process of a successful story. Th e current investor has shown interest to implement the initial phase,” said Al Ali. Looking to the Future Th e passenger information systems that were involved within the Smart Shelters not only off ered riders more information about when their buses would be arriving, but also provided more control for riders to pay fares and fi nd information about transit changes. Al Ali said that since the launch, feedback has been positive. “We have monitored the feedback aft er implantation of the 100 locations and shows high impact on the customers satisfaction increased to 94 percent on the public bus services.” RTA and Smart Shelter worked together to create public transportation infrastructure that mirrored the development of Dubai into a smart city. “I think that 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 in that we are generating revenue for the government on a dead asset. It’s eff ectively a new revenue stream which contributes to the general upkeep and maintenance of the shelters. A win-win situation for all those involved — government, us and the public,” Dalmia said. MassTransitmag.com/12302619 For more information, visit www.MassTransitmag.com/12073041
MassTransit_March_2017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above