Monday, May 15, 2006

"It's cold in here!"


Finally a brilliant idea! And it could possibly be the first in the world:
New bus shelters

"... the PTD is working on the masterplan for buses and other modes of public transport with an aim to cut growth of cars by 50 per cent in the future.

"After the success of the express bus service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we are going to introduce similar services between Al Ain and Dubai, and Abu Dhabi and Al Ain," Al Rashidi said.

"A comprehensive network of public transport within Abu Dhabi will be in place very soon," he said.

Abu Dhabi's transport chief said the PTD will also build around 500 air-conditioned bus stop shelters in Abu Dhabi(hopefully in Dubai as well) within the next 18 months."
Source:http://www.daijiworld.com/
I had tried a couple of times taking the public transport (bus) in Dubai...it's really a harrowing (corrected by agent kingfisher..thks original: hallowing..lol) experience.. especially during the weekends. It's so jam packed..the sweaty smell of tired commuters who have waited for nearly 40 mins under the scourging sun. Never mind the driver..shouting at u to move to the back of an otherwise sardine packed bus!Once in awhile...a young local inspector will come on board..screaming at the foreign workers for their tickets...very humiliating.

And it's quite an irony..Dubai built so many beautiful mega malls, impressive buildings, hotels...etc that cost millions... but look at the pathetic bus stop shelter (see pic)? what were they thinking in the first place? Perhaps, they ran out of budget or musing to themselves " Im not taking the bus..it's for the labourers..why spend so much to build beautiful shelters?"
Hopefully, the new air con bus stop shelter comes with an ioniser...in an enclosed environment with so many sweaty beings...we need fresh air..lol
Wonder...what's your experience like? If you have taken the public transport in Dubai/UAE or any parts of the world...

17 Comments:

Blogger Cergie said...

I've taken the bus in Rabat (Marocco) and travelled hung on a handle on the step. It must be the same in Dubai.
Sometimes in the parisian underground, it's also truly jungle.

9:06 AM

 
Blogger archer14 said...

This 'shelter' would also require payment, otherwise you'd see people who shouldn't be there having a nice nap...
Not to forget the horrendous waiting times, often buses ply together (two buses to the same destination back to back).
I still believe there's no need for any of this shit, if they can ply buses every 10 minutes like they do to the Gold Souq area.

9:47 AM

 
Blogger Tainted Female said...

You know, I love taking the bus in Canada, but have never DARED do it in Dubai.

Just looking at the passengers sorry state from outside the bus is enough to pity the torture it seems to be inside.

Great post Feline.

2:48 PM

 
Blogger secretdubai said...

It's a good idea, but the problem with public transport in the UAE is not just the bus shelters, it's getting to them.

In the UK people walk 15-20 minutes to a tube stop, and consider it "fairly close by". Here, people can barely walk across a car park in the summer months.

I caught a bus here some years ago when I lived in an area on a transport route. It was fine, it wasn't at rush hour admittedly, and these were the days when the traffic was busy but rarely ever gridlocked.

4:27 PM

 
Blogger junebee said...

Maybe the AC bus shelter will catch on in FL. They aren't even covered (except downtown). Mostly it's just a bench by the side of the hot road.

9:17 PM

 
Blogger black feline said...

cergie..well over here..standing by the steps of a moving bus is a no-no..doors shut tight..one good move though..the front seats (about 8) are designated for women only :)
archer: must be big enuff too..to accomodate at least ten tired souls..

baluchi: good idea...hope to see u set up store selling cucumbers..hahahahaha..
tainted highness: air con carriage driven by 6 horses just for u...public buses are for commoners..lol
secret:they need extremely long sheltered walkways...i suggest they consider building one...from Carrefour (Bur Dubai) to the Interchange..otherwise..a cap/umbrella or a space suit will do.
junebee: yes...not just a hot road..a burning bench as well! lol

6:08 AM

 
Blogger Funkye said...

there bus service in Kuching city, where I'm living in is very poor... I guess Dubai needs more Air conditioned bus, I heard Dubai has hot weather there. In my opinion, Singapore bus service gave me a good impression.

7:58 PM

 
Blogger Ghassan said...

that is over the top, as everything in the arab world..
very nice post!

3:07 AM

 
Blogger Writer and Nomad said...

philly has septa. it's priceless. most people in the city take some form of public transport. it is VERY dirty though. As for air-cond.
bus shelters, that would NEVER fly here. they would just become homeless hangouts. there are so many homeless people in the city. and they already sleep in train and trolley stations.

a good public transport does so much for a city. how is driving there? traffic? road rage?

2:15 PM

 
Blogger Raheel Lakhani said...

great idea!!

btw Pakistani transport system sucks big time.. I desperately want to have my own car.

10:57 AM

 
Blogger black feline said...

frank....alll the buses here are air con...the design very european..
april..drivers are crazy and impatient here..love to honk...traffic can be extremely heavy in the morning and after 5pm...road rage unfortunately is quite common..
raheel...hope u have a car soon..because u are very enterprising :)

3:47 PM

 
Blogger Cergie said...

I was travelling by bus in Turkey once. I was with a Turkish guy. And it was impossible to be sitting at his side.

9:18 AM

 
Blogger black feline said...

cergie....?????????..but what's the reason? he was trying to be funny or body odour? pls explain..lol

2:27 PM

 
Blogger San Nakji said...

They are cool (he he). As long as you don't have people like we have here who like to smash up bus shelters!

3:25 AM

 
Blogger Cergie said...

Not at all, he was handsome. But it was so: space for men at the backside and space for women on the front of the bus. It was such a long time ago ! Perhaps it is not the same rule now.
Then, my friend got a good job: he became the ambassador of Turkey in Belgium. But I've no more seen him since a long time. It's life.

12:30 AM

 
Blogger Woke said...

I heard they are going to make bicycle tracks too to encourage more bikers in Dubai. And Sharjah has banned bikes altogether. So if you take a ride from Dubai to Sharjah on a bicycle, you better be ready to carry it on your shoulder once you pass the border.

9:05 PM

 
Blogger black feline said...

Woke..thank for popping by. And dont forget they have carry the back passenger across..a goat..lol

8:38 PM

 

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