Public transport means in Dubai, UAE comprising the metro, tram, buses and marine transit modes in addition to taxis lifted in 2016 about 543.6 million riders compared with 539.5 million riders in 2015, according to official data.

Public transport means in Dubai, UAE comprising the metro, tram, buses and marine transit modes in addition to taxis lifted in 2016 about 543.6 million riders compared with 539.5 million riders in 2015, according to figures released by Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The average daily ridership of public transport means in Dubai last year clocked about 1.5 million riders.

“The Dubai Metro has taken the largest slice of public transport commuters accounting for 35 per cent, followed by taxis (33 per cent), and public buses (28 per cent). December recorded the highest number in commuters and reached 47 million riders,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of RTA.

“The breakdown was as follows: Dubai Metro: 17.184 million riders, taxis: 15.315 million riders, buses: 12.508 million riders, marine transit means: 1.46 million riders, and Dubai Tram: 54,000 riders. The number of public transport riders reached 46.927 million riders in March, and 46.288 million riders in November.”

Record numbers

“Last year, the Dubai Metro has lifted in both the Red and Green Lines 191.3 million riders compared with 178.647 million riders in 2015. The Red Line of Dubai Metro has seen a healthy growth in 2016 clocking 121.6 million riders compared with 112.7 million riders in 2015. The Green Line has lifted in 2016 about 69.7 million riders compared with 65.942 million riders served in 2015,” Al Tayer said.

“Burjuman and Union Stations, which are two transfer stations at the intersection of the Red & Green Lines, have accounted for the biggest chunk of riders with Burjuman Station recording 11.644 million riders, and the Union Station clocking 10.522 million riders. Al-Rigga Station was the busiest on the Red Line (8.293 million riders) followed by Deira City Center Station (7.392 million riders), ahead of Burj Khalifa Station (7.254 million riders). On the Green Line, Al Fahidi Station ranked first by the number of riders (7.945 million riders), next came Baniyas Station (6.41 million riders), and the third was the Stadium Station (5.665 million riders).

“The Dubai Tram has lifted last year 5.4 million riders compared with 4.07 million riders in 2015. The number of public bus riders recorded 151.1 million riders last year compared with 134.775 million riders in 2015. Around 14 million riders in 2016 used the marine transport means (abras, waterbus, water taxi and Dubai Ferry), which is almost the same number of riders recorded in 2015. Taxis (comprising Dubai Taxi, Hala Taxi and Franchise companies) have lifted 181.8 million riders last year,” he explained.

Backbone

“Comprising a full range of integrated services, the public transport network in Dubai has become the backbone of people’s mobility in various parts of the Emirate of Dubai. RTA’s efforts in this regard contributed to the growing numbers of public transport users across the board. The share of public transport in the mobility of people has leapfrogged from 6 per cent in 2006 to 16 per cent in 2016,” noted Al Tayer.


“If we add taxis, the share would shoot to as high as 24 per cent. RTA is endeavouring to push the share of public transport (metro, tram, buses, and water transport) to 20 per cent by 2020, and 30 per cent by 2030. Equally important, RTA had managed to transform the culture of various segments of the community and their attitudes towards using public transport. People have started to grasp and feel the benefits associated with the use of mass transit means such as the physical relief, peace of mind, financial saving, high safety, lower expenses of car usage in terms of fuel and maintenance among others.”

Al Tayer was delighted with these indicators, which depict the effectiveness of plans and programs undertaken by RTA in providing a variety of options for moving people in Dubai.

“The strategic and executive plans for roads and transport systems pursued by RTA are based on the principle of integrated services. It means that achieving smooth & accessible mobility in the Emirate hinges on providing integrated solutions in terms of improving and broadening roads network and crossings, and upgrading various components of mass transit systems such as the metro, tram, buses and water transport means.

“It also depends on upgrading the technology used in traffic & transport systems to ensure the optimal utilization and highest efficiency of roads and mass transit systems, adopting policies capable of reducing the semi-total reliance of the public on private vehicles and increasing their reliance on other transit systems including public transport. RTA plans are also focused on encouraging journey-sharing practices especially in a city like Dubai where people ownership of private vehicles is as high as one vehicle per two persons,” he concluded.- TradeArabia News Service