Dubai bus shelters to get internet connectivity

·  A pilot project is being planned to have Wi-Fi connectivity at some of the 400 new AC bus shelters to come up at new locations by the end of this year.

Dubai: In addition to the world’s first air-conditioned bus shelters, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will soon boast another first — Wi-Fi-enabled bus shelters.

A pilot project is being planned to have Wi-Fi connectivity at some of the 400 new AC bus shelters to come up at new locations by the end of this year.

“We are currently doing feasibility studies and working out the modalities of having Wi-Fi at new bus shelters. Several vendors have approached us with their ideas and we are looking at the best possible options,” said Mohammad Abdullah Al Ali, Director of Planning and Business Development at the RTA’s Public Transport Agency, in an exclusive interview with Gulf News.

Elaborating further on possible ways to access the internet at different locations he said that only people using public transport services would be able to access it.

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Linked to Nol cards

“We are trying to work out the issue of accessibility, we don’t want unwanted people to come and crowd bus shelters just to access the internet. We are planning to link it to the Nol payment system and only those who are actually waiting for a bus will be able to use it after punching their Nol cards,” added Al Ali.

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Initially, the project will be tried out at some of the most popular locations and a survey is being conducted to identify potential areas.

“AC bus shelters is the RTA’s pioneer project and Wi-Fi will add more value to it, I don’t think there are such services in bus shelters in any part of the world,” said Al Ali, highlighting some of the RTA’s landmark initiatives.