By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter www.gulfnews.com
Dubai: Residents and visitors to Dubai have been urged to leave their cars at home and use the Dubai Metro and buses on the occasion of Free Public Transport Day being observed in the emirate on November 1.
Use of public transport in Dubai will be free for passengers who have Nol travel cards, said a senior official at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The free public transport day has been declared to mark the fifth anniversary of the RTA. Adnan Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of the RTA’s Rail Agency said Nol card holders would enjoy free Metro, water and bus rides on Public Transport Day.
Cut carbon emissions
“The initiative will explain the benefits to individuals of using public transport such as the physical and psychological relief. It will also help curb carbon emissions from vehicle exhausts,” he said.
He said the aim is to lure more people to use public transport and increase the percentage of Dubai residents using public transport from the current 12 per cent to 34 per cent by 2020.
“The Metro is a key mass transit mode that has attracted much attention recently judging by its popularity among all segments of the community and the number of commuters served during the first year of operation which exceeded 30 million passengers,” noted Al Hammadi
“Metro use has been made very convenient with a specific and accurate timetable which is made available to users through brochures and booklets available at each station,” he added.
Al Hammadi urged the public to buy their Nol cards before the free transport day to avoid the rush as huge numbers of people are expected to use the Metro and other modes of public transport.
Peyman Younes Parham, Director of RTA’s Marketing Corporate Communication, said that the free journey does not include the monorail service at the Palm Jumeirah because it is not owned by the RTA.
