Dubai Metro passengers rewarded

Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rewarded a number of commuters who have chosen Dubai Metro as their daily mode of transport.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director, accompanied by senior RTA staff, visited Metro stations and chose passengers who would receive a prize at random.

Al Tayer gave out Silver Nol cards each worth Dh500 to the selected passengers as a token of appreciation from the RTA.

He said the gifts were part of the RTA’s efforts to encourage greater use of public transport.

The RTA was working continuously to make mass transit the emirate’s favourite means of travel.

“The ultimate strategic objective of the RTA is to minimise the use of private vehicles and increase the share of mass transit systems from 9.7 per cent in 2009 to 30 per cent in 2020,” Al Tayer said.

Dubai Metro passengers have increased from 40,000 per day in September last year to 120,000 passengers per day in May this year.

“We have witnessed a rise in the number of passengers since the opening of 10 new stations in May,” Al Tayer said.

The Metro transported more than 19 million passengers between September 9 and the end of May.

Dubai Metro is expected to carry 35 million passengers this year.