The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched its first double-decker bus service on the Dubai-Sharjah route with the introduction of three 81-seater buses.

The double deckers, which can accommodate 114 passengers, will run from Al Ghubaiba (Bur Dubai) bus station to the Al Jubail and Al Rolla bus stations in Sharjah. The service is said to be the first of its kind in the Middle East.

A total of 70 double-decker buses are expected to run on the Dubai-Sharjah route by the end of this year, a senior official of RTA was quoted as saying in the Khaleej Times.

’In the second phase, double-deckers would be plying on Dubai’s internal roads from early next year.”

Abdullah Yousuf Al Ali, director of public bus department in the Public Transport Agency, said talks were on for increasing the fares on Dubai-Sharjah route.

’There is a plan to increase the fare. Right now, the Dubai-Sharjah bus journey costs Dh5,’ he said.

The RTA has also introduced three new 81-seater buses on this busy sector. ’There are plans to start a bus service on the Dubai-Al Ain route, too,’ Ali noted.

Shiraj Bhanu, an Indian who frequently uses the Dubai-Sharjah bus service, said, ’It was a pleasant surprise for me this morning as I saw one of the buses parked at the Bur Dubai Bus Station. My first trip was terrific.’

Irene, a Filipina, hoped that with the launch of these double deckers, there would be shorter waits now at the bus stops. 

Ajmal Hussain Khan, a Pakistani, urged the RTA needed to come up with dedicated bus lanes on certain routes.

’Buses are fine, but the journey time needs to reduced. At present, it takes us almost an hour or even more to reach Sharjah. There must be dedicated bus lanes on important routes. Until this is done, the problems will remain,’ he quipped.

Al Ali said that ’Coach’ service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi was expected to start in the next two months. He said the 35-seater buses would be equipped with toilets.