Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed an agreement with the technology-enabled private bus aggregate, arcab, to launch a digital platform on a trial base in the shape of a smart app to meet the public demand for medium-sized bus services.
The trial platform will be operational in two of Dubai’s districts. The first route will commute between the International City or Dubai Silicon Oasis and Jebel Ali Free Zone. The second route will shuttle between the International City and JLT.
Following a three-month trial, the service will expand to include 12 other districts in Dubai, according to the statement.
The agreement was made in collaboration with the Dubai Future Accelerators Program, one of the initiatives of the Dubai Future Foundation launched by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. The initiative aimed to launch innovative projects driven by future technology to power vital sectors.
Mr. Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency at RTA said that, “Joining forces with the private sector will strengthen RTA’s public-private partnership, which RTA always seeks to undertake as a means of enhancing its public service offerings such as transportation on medium-sized buses, especially in districts and localities normally not covered by buses.”
In partnership with Dubai Future Accelerators, RTA and arcab will introduce arcab Traveler, a new service in the UAE that will assist people in traveling to and from work and home daily. This service is an extension of the services RTA currently provides, which include smart services, e-hailing, shared transport, and Bus-On-Demand.
“RTA and arcab’s partnership represents a significant step toward the success of the Dubai Future Accelerators program. It enables government agencies, involved technology companies, and emerging companies to enhance cooperation, exchange experiences, and adopt the latest innovations and practices, ensuring the highest standard of service while employing advanced modern technology,” commented Mr. Saeed Al Falasi, Executive Director of Future Design and Acceleration at Dubai Future Foundation.
