Mohammed Yuosuf Esmaeel, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the RAK TA told Khaleej Times recently that the poor roads linking to the various areas of the emirate delayed the introduction of internal buses in RAK that were originally scheduled to start operating in September 2008. The delay in the installation of bus stands by the authorities concerned on various streets of the emirate has also hindered the introduction of buses in Ras (Al Khaimah.

Esmaeel noted that the emirate does not have a proper structure for (bus stops.

“The city bus services have been held back until next year in order to give ample time for the authorities to address the infrastructure problems,” he said. He however noted that arrangements for the inter emirate bus services have been finalised and that the buses will start operating in April including Dubai, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain amongst others.  

A senior official of a local company that had been commissioned to launch the bus services in Ras Al Khaimah noted that the addition of new taxis in the emirate last year, also added to the overall delay.

Three new taxi companies including Al Hamra, Cars and Al Arabia Taxi Company with a combined fleet of 1,600 new cabs, were introduced in Ras Al Khaimah in February 2008.

Many RAK commuters did not welcome the new taxis, as they are expensive compared to the old taxis.