RTA steps up Metro awareness ahead of Green Line launch

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Source:  www.gulftoday.ae

DUBAI: To encourage residents to hop on to the metro more frequently, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched the second phase of a public awareness campaign, ahead of the opening of the Green Line next September.

Dubai Metro
Dubai Metro

According to Dr Aisha Al Busmait, director of Marketing and Corporate Communication, RTA, the transport authority wanted to raise awareness on the metro by launching an ‘Opening the Green Line of Dubai Metro Campaign.’

It includes three phases, aiming to familiarise metro users with the best routes to follow for arriving at their intended destination and acquaint them with the laws and procedures that should be followed when using the metro to avoid getting fined.

“Phase I and II of the campaign, which were launched recently, included all new and basic information that Green Line users may need, including the names of the new areas served by the metro, points of attraction, intervals between stations, in addition to complete information about the metro working hours, tariffs,” said Dr Al Busmait.

She pointed out that as part of these phases, people were also told how to use Nol cards and about parking lots close to metro stations.

Elaborating on the different phases of the campaign, she pointed out that the first phase was launched last May and it focused on providing the public with information related to tariffs when traveling along the Red Line; shedding light on the different types of Nol cards and how to use and top them up.

It also told the public about free vehicle parking lots available at Al Rashidiya, and Nakheel Harbour and Tower.

Dr Al Busmait added that that Phase 11 of the awareness campaign was launched last July, entitled “Etiquette.” This campaign focused on educating the public on the rules and regulations to be followed at the stations and inside the metro carriages through a video presentation shown in each carriage.

It urged the public to maintain the cleanliness of the metro.

She also called attention to the instructions displayed on a regular basis through the screens, such as reminding travellers to abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking, as well as to avoid bringing animals and dropping waste.

The messages also call passengers’ attention to the seating priority for the elderly and people with disabilities, familiarising them with the right ways of ascending/descending the metro to ensure that they not disturb other passengers.

“Through this campaign, we seek to ensure passengers’ safety during the journey and involve them in the process of maintaining the metro and ensuring environmental safety,” she added.

Phase III of the campaign started only recently by launching various promotional campaigns, marking the opening of the Green Line of Dubai Metro, which will open Sept. 9.

The Green Line aims to be “a magnet for a huge number of passengers, since it serves several vital areas in the Emirate of Dubai,” said the RTA in a statement.

Dr Aisha Al Busmait noted that the campaigns were marketed extensively through various communication channels, including audio-visual and printed media, and indoor or outdoor advertising.