A general view of the emirate of Sharjah.

The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) has announced that it is ready to handle needs of the increasing number of public transportation users during Eid Al Fitr holidays with 1,081 buses.

Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Jarwan, Director of SRTA for Transport Affairs, said “As part of our commitment to meet needs of the public transport users, 1,081 buses will be in service operating intercity routes during the Eid period. The number of intercity trips will be increased to 5,872 during the Eid, with 1,000 trips per day for all emirates. The tickets outlets will also be multiplied in the Jubail Bus Station to accommodate the increasing number of the commuters and to ensure provision of hassle-free service. Furthermore, the number of staff on duty will be increased to 80 employees a day.”

He added: “Several coordinative meetings have been held with various competent departments to develop the annual plan of the SRTA, and to provide the requirements that ensure safety of the public in buses, intercity buses, and taxis working within the emirate. The SRTA has also coordinated with the police to increase patrols in the station and the surrounding area to manage traffic during rush hours. In addition, it will launch an initiative to distribute 12,000 bottles of drinking water to passengers while waiting for buses.”

Al Jarawan continued, “In order to make it easy for people to use the public buses within Sharjah and to encourage families to use them, the SRTA has increased the number of buses touring the city to complete 1,284 trips a day.”

Earlier, the SRTA launched the smart card “Mowasalat,” which allows passengers to enjoy unlimited number of trips using 100 public transport buses that operate within Sharjah every day at a cost of Dhs225 per month.

The move comes to improve the services provided for the public, facilitate tariff payment procedures and to enhance the group transport service, which is one of the SRTA’s strategic objectives, Al Jarawan said.

The prepaid smart card “Mowasalate” has started on May 20, 2019, and will continue throughout the month of Ramadan and the summer period. This initiative is among series of initiatives launched by the STRA to provide a more convenience and less time and cost, he added.

It is a monthly subscription to public transport buses. It allows the use of the huge fleet of buses provided by SRTA within the city of Sharjah, with unlimited number of trips daily throughout the month.

The card is sold for Dhs5, and the monthly subscription value is Dhs225. It can be obtained and renewed monthly through the bus driver.