UAE | Traffic and Transport
Commuters in Dubai furious as RTA cancels certain bus routes
The RTA's policy to force people to use the Metro by cancelling some popular bus routes is not in line with its plans to attract more people to use public transport as it is causing a lot of problems for passengers like me and is not viable for us at all," said Jamshaid Ahmad, who works in Jebel Ali.
- By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
- Published: 00:00 May 24, 2010
- Image Credit: Gulf News archive
- Passengers scramble to board a bus at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station.
Dubai: Public transport commuters are furious at the Dubai Roads and Transport's decision to cancel routes in the city.
Gulf News has learnt that the routes have been cancelled to make commuters use the Dubai Metro.
"The RTA's policy to force people to use the Metro by cancelling some popular bus routes is not in line with its plans to attract more people to use public transport as it is causing a lot of problems for passengers like me and is not viable for us at all," said Jamshaid Ahmad, who works in Jebel Ali.
He said employees who were using the public buses now reach their offices late as it takes almost double the time to cover the same distance.
The RTA's Public Transport Agency which runs public buses, cancelled a number of bus routes in recent months, especially on routes which run parallel to the Metro line.
However, the cancellation of some very popular bus services such as route numbers 91, 91A and X92 has infuriated hundreds of passengers who were regular commuters. These routes were cancelled with effect from May 1.
Related Links
"I used to take bus 90 from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai to Jebel Ali at 5.45am and it was a very convenient and popular service as a lot of people used it to reach their offices in Jebel Ali," said Ashley, a Filipina secretary.
Since the route's cancellation, Ashley must make three changes before reaching her work place.
"First, I take the bus to Khalid Bin Waleed Metro Station to take the train to Ibn Battuta Mall and then again have to wait for bus F50 which links the station with Jebel Ali. "The whole journey takes more than one and a half hours whereas earlier it took only 40 minutes," she said.
Sunil Jacob, who travels from Deira to his office in Jebel Ali, said he was disappointed by the sudden cancellation of 91A from Deira Gold Souq Bus Station to Jebel Ali Bus Station. "
"It was very convenient for a lot of passengers. Now, I am using a car pool service which is quite expensive for me," he added.
The cancellation of routes has also negatively impacted the business of shopkeepers and restaurants close to the Bur Dubai and Deira bus stations.
"Our sales have fallen by 40 per cent since the route X92 from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station to Dubai Investment Park was cancelled early this month," said G. R. Sankaramanim, a shopkeeper near Al Ghubaiba Bus Station.
He said hundreds of people, especially those in the lower income group, used to come from the DIP and Jebel Ali areas to shop and eat. "We are losing a lot of business," he added.
Avoiding parallel service
A senior official at the RTA's Public Transport Agency said that some routes which ran parallel to the Metro line have been cancelled to avoid two parallel public transport services. However, he said the RTA would look into the complaints of passengers and would re-open certain routes if there is high demand.
Gulf News found out that routes 91, 91A and X92 were operating away from the Metro stations in Bur Dubai and Deira and its cancellation has created problems for hundreds of commuters.
"It will be fine if these routes are cancelled only after the launching of the Green Line of the Metro because it runs through the Central Business Districts of Bur Dubai and Deira," said Sankaramani.
Did you take this route to work? How do you travel now that the route has been disconnected? Do you know of other such routes?
Comments (61)
|
More from UAE Traffic and Transport
More from UAE
Latest news
- Readers issues addressed: Unacceptable delays
- Safety regulations flouted at Dubai work place
- Abu Dhabi facilities for special needs people
- Absconding maid dies in Sharjah road accident
- Cashier forges receipt to collect visa deposit
- Parents of special children need support: expert
- Shoppers lack environmental awareness: survey
- Book sales reflect children's love of reading
- FNC to hold question and answer session
- Pakistan arrests gang for forging UAE visas
- Sharjah launches recycling campaign
- Police launch campaign to drive down car crime
- Pregnant woman, partner on trial
- UAE fishermen say leaked diesel taints catch
- Police convince couple to take disabled baby
Community Reports
-
Safety regulations flouted at Dubai work place
In Al Nahda 2, two workers were seen working on the crane boom at a height of 20m without a full body harness or safety net in violation of rules
-
Closing U-turns creates new risks
Authorities urged to reopen closed U-turns or construct new ones on Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi Road in Sharjah
-
Enforce the speed limit
Some motorists who drive on Al Albaany Road to avoid the toll put pedestrians at risk
-
Campaign needs help to curb cat population
Al Barsha Veterinary Clinic calls for public's assistance as exercise begins to spay and neuter strays in effort to control numbers and prevent diseases
