Monday, Jan 11, 2016
Dubai: Gold Souq bus station will soon be redeveloped with facilities such as covered waiting areas, benches, washrooms and other basic amenities, a senior Roads and Transport Authority official said.
The existing station was relocated in July last year from its previous location, which was opposite Gold Souq. The station is now located next to Palm Deira Metro station, forming a transit hub.
Last year, RTA had announced that the relocation was a temporary move and a new station was supposed to be built at the previous location.
However, that plan seems to have changed and the present location is set to be permanent.
At least two dozen bus routes operate from Gold Souq bus station, carrying thousands of passengers daily to different parts of the city.
“The station is built permanently. The surrounding area shall be developed and shall provide waiting areas within the station,” said Adel Shakeri, Director, Planning and Business Development at RTA’s Public Transport Agency.
The station currently lacks facilities such as a covered waiting area and benches for waiting commuters, which is available in most other stations.
“The facilities at Gold Souq bus station are inadequate. It is particularly difficult in summer when one has to wait in the heat, without any covered area or benches to sit. These are basic facilities that every station should have,” said Mohammad Khalid, a regular commuter.
The station currently has more than a dozen bus bays along with separate parking areas for cars, tourist buses and commercial vehicles.
The station is prominently located with its proximity to the Gold Souq, fish market, Deira wharfage and the congested Deira market area.
“I use buses for my daily commute as a Metro line doesn’t fall on my route. There are hundreds of people like me who depend on buses for their daily travel and we deserve to be treated better. If RTA wants to attract more people to use buses, they need to provide basic facilities like benches at the stations. We are not asking for air conditioners. I hope they will work on their promise soon,” said Gulam Ansari, a salesman, who works at Gold Souq.
Major bus routes passing through the station are 64, 64A, 43, X23, C09 etc.
By Shafaat Shahbandari Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2016. All rights reserved.
