Commuters in Abu Dhabi no longer need to pay their bus fare if they happen to ride the first fully electric passenger bus in the Middle East region which is now roaming the emirate.
The vehicle will serve a six-stop route between Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station and Masdar City and fare will be free for commuters until the end of March 2019.
The new bus was launched by Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, in partnership with the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi (DoT), Abu Dhabi-based bus manufacturer Hafilat Industry LLC , and leading technology company Siemens.
The bus can handle 30 passengers and has a range of 150 kilometres per battery charge. Solar panels are also used to power the Eco-Bus’s auxiliary systems.
The bus is also the first of its kind not only in the UAE but in the whole Middle East region.
“This initiative is a result of the efforts and support dedicated by DoT and its strategic partners to promote the use of sustainable and intelligent transport modes, which enhances the quality of life in the Emirate,” Ahmad Ateeq Al Mazroui, adviser to the chairman of the DoT and Head of the Buses and Water Ferries Team, said.
“This smart initiative is just one of a series of future initiatives that are aimed at enhancing the intelligent transportation system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and making it part of the daily lives of public transport users,” Al Mazroui added.
