In recent times, UAE is proactively working on the lines of sustainability and environmental protection. In latest developments, the country started its initiative, under which the people of UAE can travel for free in exchange of their used plastic bottles.
The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi came out with the brilliant idea of promoting the free public bus trips for all those passengers who will hand over empty plastic bottles to pay their bus fares. The idea is quite simple, the more bottles they will serve, the more points they will get. of public transport launched an
As the first phase of the initiative named “Points for Plastic: the Bus Tariff” will involve the installation of the plastics deposit machines in Abu Dhabi’s prime bus station. These machines will enable the passengers to exchange their empty plastic vessels and earn points.
In this initiative, the size of each deposited bottle will also play a significant role. Each small bottle that can hold 600 ml or less will be rewarded with 1 point, whereas a larger bottle or container with the capacity of more than 600 ml will get 2 points per container.
To make the calculations understandable for people, to earn each point one needs to deposit 10 bottles, and 10 points will together make Dh1.
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The step towards environmental protection is taken in cooperation with Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), Abu Dhabi Waste Management Centre “Tadweer”, and “DGrade”. All the accumulated points will be compiled and transferred to the Personalised Bus Card “Hafilat.”
Hafilat is the ITC automated payment system that calculates the ticket price required for every trip, and accordingly debits the equivalent amount from the cash value stored in the card. These cards are used in the tariff machines, which are installed at the entrances and exits of the bus station.
The EAD has joined forces with its public as well as private sector partners to closely monitor and work on the launch and fixture of the deposit machines in primary locations in order to encourage greater public participation in return of incentive rewards.
