Staff Report www.gulfnews.com
Dubai: Public transportation in Dubai comprising of Dubai Metro, public buses, marine transit and taxis, have transported more than 332 million passengers in 2010, compared to 288.777 million passengers in 2009.
According to latest statistics by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) the average number of daily riders in 2010 was about 957,000 persons compared to 800,000 persons in 2009.
“This number is likely to increase with the completion of the remaining metro stations on the Red Line, and the operation of the Green Line; which will be completed on schedule in August 2011,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the (RTA).
“Targeting to realise multi-modal integration of mass transit systems as envisaged in the RTA strategic plan; which is aligned with the Dubai Strategic Plan [Infrastructure Sector] aimed at providing an integrated road and transport system that ensures smooth traffic flow and the highest levels of safety for all system users. RTA is making expeditious efforts to make the public transport means the ideal mobility choice for people in the Emirate,” Al Tayer said.
Curtailing drivers
“This will also achieve one of the strategic objectives of the RTA … curtailing the use of private vehicles, and raising the use of public transport means from 6 per cent in 2009 to 30 per cent in 2020,” said Al Tayer noting that last year’s public transport share was about 11 per cent. “The number of public bus users in 2010 clocked 113 million passengers with a daily ridership of about 314,000 passengers. The number of passengers using marine transit means, comprising [of] abras and the water bus, was about 15.35 million passengers…”
“The Dubai Metro has lifted about 38.888 million passengers in 2010 and the average daily rider-ship of the metro is currently hovering around 149,000 passengers and this number is poised to increase with the opening of the remaining metro stations on the Red Line…”
