Skip to main content

Masdar City PRT sets record highs in fifth year

The Masdar City personal rapid transit (PRT) system in Abu Dhabi has just completed its fifth year of operations, setting all time highs in number of passengers carried per month and per year, passenger growth and system availability. Since the start of operations on 28 November 2010 one can only conclude automated passenger transport is a rock solid, reliable and efficient solution for both passengers as well as stakeholders. The Masdar PRT operates 18 hours a day, every day and is led by 2getthere in c
December 10, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The Masdar City personal rapid transit (PRT) system in Abu Dhabi has just completed its fifth year of operations, setting all time highs in number of passengers carried per month and per year, passenger growth and system availability. Since the start of operations on 28 November 2010 one can only conclude automated passenger transport is a rock solid, reliable and efficient solution for both passengers as well as stakeholders.

The Masdar PRT operates 18 hours a day, every day and is led by 2getthere in co-operation with its UAE partner United Technical Services. The system provides a link between the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST).

The system carried one million passengers in its first 3.5 years of operation. Just 18 months later, the number has increased to 1,575,863 and its operators expect to reach the milestone of 2 million passengers before the end of this year of operations.

System availability in the fifth year of operations averaged 99.9 per cent over the year, with a 100 per cent availability being achieved in two months.  

As the system is powered by energy generated by the solar panels in Masdar City, the operators claim it has saved over 100,000 kg of carbon dioxide emissions over the last five years in comparison to typical cars in the United Arab Emirates. Apart from this positive environmental effect, there is zero emission of fine dust particles which contributes to an enhanced air quality.

2getthere’s CEO Carel van Helsdingen comments: “Over these five years time of operation we are satisfied with the way the system has performed. However, there is always room for improvement and our team is currently working to integrate several features to accommodate a higher capacity while also improving the comfort and ease of travel.”

Related Content

  • Hyperloop One to carry out feasibility study in Dubai
    November 11, 2016
    Hyperloop One (H1) is partnering with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to evaluate the feasibility of building the first commercial hyperloop transportation system from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. The journey is 99 miles (159.4 km) long and normally takes about two hours by car but H1 promises it would take a mere 12 minutes in the hyperloop.
  • Reliability is key to AV acceptance, finds Dutch study
    August 31, 2018
    Reliability is the key factor in people’s acceptance of autonomous vehicles, suggests a new academic study. Nine out of ten people said it was easy to use 2getthere’s Parkshuttle, operated by the Dutch municipality of Capelle aan den Ijssel. Four out of five respondents said the system - which connects Rivium business park and metro station Kralingse Zoom - is reliable, mainly because of its frequency and punctuality. The qualitative study from Utrecht University also focused on operational factors
  • Volocopter sets sights on Italy 
    November 2, 2021
    Service is expected to reduce congestion of urban traffic and CO2 emissions
  • Sustainable mobility model
    January 27, 2012
    It is only in the last couple of years that the viability of all-electric vehicles for day to day transport has begun to be recognised. Back in 2000, that was not the case, certainly in Italy, where a few pilot projects involving EVs were carried out with negative results. It is against this background, that the innovative Reggio Emilia eco-rental experience must be assessed.