The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Transport Authority have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to launch bus services between Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah.

“The agreement comes as part of the continuous efforts to develop the public bus transport infrastructure and boost the quality of the services offered," remarked Maktoum Al Kaabi, the executive director of the Technology and Transport Systems Sector at the ITC after signing the deal with Ismail Hassan Al Balooshi, the director general of RAK Transport Authority.

The buses will ply only from Thursdays to Saturdays on the Ras Al Khaimah to Abu Dhabi route with the first batch leaving the northern emirate at 10am and the second at 3pm. The ticket prices have been set at Dh45 ($12.2).

On the Abu Dhabi-RAK operations, the authorities said the bus service will begin in the UAE capital from 2.30pm and the second batch at 7.30pm. The ticket prices have been set at Dh35 ($9.5).

Al Kaabi said the new service also unifies the efforts dedicated to develop the strategic plans and regulate this sector.

It is important to set performance indicators and standards to assess the success of such services that in turn will establish an integrated and efficient transport network that is safe and secured, he stated.

This transport network will also encourage the public to improve their travel behaviour and use alternative modes of transport, he added.

Al Balooshi said the MoU was an indicator of the strategic partnership between both parties which enhanced the cooperation opportunities in the public transport sector.

This agreement is a step towards the integration of the services in the UAE in aim to fulfill the public demand on public buses and offer them with safe and efficient services at a reasonable cost, he added.- TradeArabia News Service