PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN DUBAI WITH RTA


Thanks to the wise leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Emirate of Dubai witnessed substantial economic development and became a major business hub, with a highly robust and diversified economy. Dubai succeeded in attracting a large number of investors and businessmen, thanks to its excellent infrastructure, global reach, free economic policy and focusing on providing the best services at the least possible costs.

Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) assigned high priority to the public transport and mass transit sector and is keen to develop it further in terms of quality, efficiency and modernization. At the same time RTA is making much focus on providing technically & administratively trained manpower, following-up maintenance & operational efficiency and highlighting the issue of traffic safety.

RTA is keen to provide an integrated system of mass transit modes such as buses, marine transport, metro and tram. It always seeks to ensure that such modes are of high quality, low operational cost and wide geographical coverage. RTA launches various awareness campaigns aiming at orienting the culture and social outlook towards the use of mass transit systems and stepping up integration of services provided by various means of public transport in order to achieve the overall objectives of mass transit system.

Mass transit in the Emirate of Dubai is a vital means in the daily life of commuters. Abras, which ply Dubai Creek, have transported around 26.7 million commuters in 2006 served by 1.287.413 trips, contributing in the process to a growth rate of 22.7%. Number of commuters lifted by public buses reached 87.8 million served by 504 buses in 2 million trips.

RTA worked out an ambitious plan to develop the mass transit system with a view to uplift the share of mass transit in the number of trips to 30%. The plan envisages implementation of Dubai Metro project at a cost of AED15 billions and developing mass transit systems through developing public transport buses in terms of increasing the number of buses, trips, routes and service such that the fleet will reach 1200 buses by 2008. Developing marine transport projects are underway at a cost exceeding one billion dirham. The plans aim at operating ten water buses, with a capacity of 35 passengers per bus and they are expected to start service in July 2007, in addition to six ferries each capable of accommodating 120 commuters and the services is planned for launching in 2008.