RTA achieves top global rating for bus operations

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that its public buses have clocked an operation rate as high as 89 percent; a top global rating that surpasses corresponding rates achieved by some advanced metropolises such as London, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Dublin, Hong Kong, Montreal, Rome and Sydney, and for the third year running.

“The World Bank considers the achievement of 85 percent in bus operations as ideal considering all conditions, and this standard rate is even dropped to 75 percent for developing countries,” said Abdullah Al Mazmi, Director of Maintenance and Services, Public Transport Agency, RTA. “Thanks to RTA’s relentless efforts, we were able to achieve a bus operational rate of 89 percent.

“The figure achieved exceeds the global record. RTA buses work round-the-clock and undergo maintenance surpassing excellence worldwide. The RTA Public Transport Agency makes every effort to monitor and implement the best global practices in the management, maintenance and operation of the bus fleet to achieve the highest operational efficiency of assets.”

Al Maazami credited the achievement to RTA’s care for maintenance workshops and the implementation of the 5-Ss principles, which had improved and modelled the work environment, reduced risks and assisted the workflow. Such compliance had paved the way for obtaining a 5-star audit rating as per the standards of the British Safety Council.

“The use of maintenance techniques and strategies hinges on striking a balance between cost and asset performance, and achieving operational efficiency that caters to the cost and risk elements,” Mazmi continued. “The use of automation and technology in the testing of buses aims to prevent the occurrence of errors, enhancing accuracy, and ensuring leadership as well.”