Dubai: Dubai has probably become the first city in the world to have AC bus stop shelters, with 47 of the 1,000 planned shelters opening in different parts of the city.

"We are going to open at least 816 bus shelters within the next few months across Dubai, and the rest will be opened by the end of the year," said Eisa Abdul Rahman Al Dossari, CEO of the Public Transport Agency at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority yesterday.

"The aim is to encourage people to leave their cars and use public transport buses in comfort and to ease traffic congestion," Al Dossari said.

The bus shelters will have snacks and soft drink vending machines, ATMs and an integrated set of public services and facilities such as recycling garbage containers and other facilities.

Raman Multani, CEO of the Right Angle Media, which is involved in the construction of the shelters, says out of the 500 locations, 315 bus stops in high-density areas have two shelters to accommodate higher numbers of passengers.

Temperature inside the shelter will be maintained at 22 Degree Celsius and some 200 employee will maintain the shelters.

Many customers were eagerly awaiting their opening since the temperature in the region reaches nearly 50 degrees and waiting in the sun is a harrowing experience, said many bus travelers.

Source : PTI