RTA set to start trial run of electric bus in Dubai

The Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Liberty Automobiles for a trial run of an electricity-powered bus for nine months so as to measure the effectiveness and competency of running such a vehicle as part of the bus fleet plying the streets of Dubai, or offering inter-city services for considerable numbers of passengers heading to a variety of destinations every day.
Dr. Yousef Al Ali, CEO of RTA's Public Transport Agency, confirmed RTA's commitment to nurture a green, sustainable and healthy environment which would encourage all spectrums of the community to play a crucial role in supporting the upswing witnessed by the UAE in general, and especially Dubai, on all fronts.
"Through this trial, we have agreed with Liberty Automobiles to operate an electric bus for 9 months, during which the vehicle will be deployed as part of our bus fleet at the cost of the suppliers in order to assess the technical and operational performance of the bus as well as the efficiency of its operation," said Al Ali.
Nihad Al Kilani, Director-General for Fleet and Commercial Affairs at Liberty, commented, "We are proud to team with the RTA and contribute to the fruition of its plans and strategic projects which were developed in the first place to serve the public and offer them services, including public transport means, which have made Dubai one of the most advanced cities in the world." Through signing this MoU, the two parties will be seeking to achieve a host of objectives including deploying an electricity-powered bus fitted with high-standard technical specifications to operate as part of public transport means on a trial bases. The Public Transport Agency will designate a specific route for the bus, which will be assessed by experts and engineers from Liberty.
Liberty will cover all costs including the insurance, operation, branding, equipment, service, labour, spare parts, tyres, maintenance and the recharging during the trial run.
The company will also train RTA drivers before the deployment of the bus and maintain periodic follow-up of drivers during the experiment. It will allow its premises at Al Garhoud to be used as a depot for the bus and a point of starting the service, and will provide all resources needed to recharge the bus during the prescribed trial period. During the period, the company will fully comply with the safety standards and rules of the RTA and Dubai Municipality, guarantee the sustained road worthiness of the bus, and provide the required maintenance.