Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has placed an order for 143 Volvo intercity coaches with Sweden-based Volvo Buses and its local agent Al-Futtaim Auto & Machinery Company (Famco).

The Volvo B11R luxury buses will be delivered to RTA over the next two years, according to Famco.

They will operate in Dubai as well as across the UAE.

MEED understands the bidding process focused on 10-year total cost of ownership (TCO) metrics, including fuel and operational costs.

The 11-litre Volvo bus is understood to be the first to be utilised in the Gulf region that complies with Euro 6 standards for fuel efficiency and emissions.

RTA has multiple projects under procurement in line with its goal to increase the share of public transport usage in Dubai to 30 per cent by 2030.