Mass transit systems of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) - comprising the Dubai Metro, public buses, marine transit modes and taxis -- have lifted 440.67 million passengers in 2013, a report said.

The figure compares well with previous public transport ridership which amounted to 367.6 million, and 346.5 million in 2012 and 2011 respectively, said the report released by RTA Statistics Section.

The average daily ridership of public transport in 2013 amounted to 1.3 million compared to one million in 2012 and 963 thousand in 2011.

“The public transport systems in Dubai have today become instrumental in the mobility of people all over the Emirate, and the RTA is making huge efforts to make these modes the first mobility choice for citizens, residents and visitors in their daily travels for work or having a time out,” said Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the Board and executive director of the RTA.

“RTA’s efforts in this regard have paid great dividends as reflected in the sustained growth of mass transit means users, and in the rise of the share of mass transit modes in peoples’ mobility from 6 per cent in 2006 to 13 per cent in 2013; which is edging closer to the target set by the RTA to raise the share of public transport in the mobility of people to as much as 20 per cent by 2020.

“Moreover, the RTA managed to bring about a change and evolution in the culture & attitudes of all segments of the community towards using public transit means. Peoples have started to grasp the benefits and positives of using public transport such as the psychological and physical comfort, financial gains, higher safety, and lesser expenses associated with the use of vehicles such as fuel, maintenance and others,” he added.

“The Red and Green Lines of the Dubai Metro have lifted last year 137.759 million riders compared to 109.491 million riders in 2012, and 69 million riders in 2011. The Red Line was used last year by approximately 89 million riders compared with 71.914 million riders in 2012 and 60 million riders in 2011,” continued Al Tayer.

“The Green Line lifted last year 48.873 million passengers compared with 37.576 million passengers in 2012. The average daily ridership of the metro recorded last year was in excess of 450 thousand and exceeded half a million during public holidays, whereas the average daily ridership reported in 2012 was in the region of 300 thousand,” he noted.

“The number of public transport users last year hit 115,670,587 riders compared with 107,800,000 riders in 2012. The average daily ridership of public buses amounted to 321 thousands compared with 299 thousands in 2012.

“Marine transit means, comprising abras, water bus, water taxi and Dubai Ferry, were used last year by 13.223 million riders; which is the same ridership level reported in 2012. Abras accounted for the lion share in the marine transit modes ridership last year, lifting about 12 million riders, and the rest is shared between the water bus, water taxi and Ferry Dubai.

“The total ridership of taxis (Dubai Taxi and franchise companies fleet) amounted to 174.018 million riders last year compared to 137.390 million riders in 2012. RTA-owned Dubai Taxi cabs alone served 72.167 million riders, and franchise companies taxicabs lifted 101.85 million riders,” he elaborated.

Al Tayer was delighted with these indicators which validate the effectiveness of plans & programs implemented by the RTA towards offering a variety of mobility options for Dubai residents.

“The strategic and executive plans the RTA is undertaking focus on the principle of integration i.e. the provision of smooth and easy travel around the Emirate hinges on the provision of holistic solutions in upgrading and widening networks of roads & bridges, improving all elements of public transport system (including the metro, tram, buses and marine transit modes) and upgrading transport and traffic systems necessary for realizing the optimal utilization and highest efficiency of roads & public transport system.

“Plans also seek to implement policies capable of limiting the semi total reliance of the public on private vehicles by increasing their reliance on other transit means including public transport, and car-pooling, particularly in a city like Dubai where private vehicle ownership is more than one vehicle per two persons of population.

“The last quarter of this year will see the introduction of a brand new mass transit mode with the launch of the Dubai Tram which serves vital communities such as the Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Media City, Knowledge Village among others. The Tram will link with the Dubai Metro in the Dubai Marina as well as the Jumeirah Lakes Towers stations. The Tram will also intersect with the Monorail of the Palm Jumeirah at the entrance of the Palm off Al Safouh Street,” concluded Al Tayer. – TradeArabia News Service