UAE | Traffic and Transport

Dubai commuters can now plan their journey

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority will launch its Wojhati service on Monday, aiming to give commuters a complete journey plan to encourage use of public transport.

  • By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
  • Published: 23:10 April 19, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • An RTA bus hits the road after making a halt. The RTAWojhati journey planning service makes debut today.
  • Image Credit: Hadrian Hernandez/Gulf News

Dubai: The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority will launch its Wojhati service on Monday, aiming to give commuters a complete journey plan to encourage use of public transport.

The use of public transport will be made extremely user-friendly with the launch of Wojhati, which in Arabic means "my destination".

The new service will provide a complete journey planner from one place to another.

It will explain how far a passenger must walk to get the first public bus and which route he or she will have to take to reach a destination. It will also explain how much time it would take to reach that destination.

Using the system, which can be accessed on the internet, commuters will be able to decide which mode of transport would best suit their purpose be it buses, the Metro or water transport services. The new system will be in place well before the start of the first phase of the Dubai Metro, scheduled to be launched on September 9.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has already reviewed the project, according to WAM.

Commenting on the project, Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of the RTA, said the agency is committed to delivering top-class services to commuters to bring about a transition from private vehicles to mass transit systems.

Currently, only 6 per cent of Dubai residents use public transport and the RTA aims to get this figure up to 30 per cent with the launch of the Dubai Metro and an increased number of public buses.

Al Tayer said: "The RTA is launching an integrated package of comprehensive systems and programmes to facilitate and encourage the use of public buses. Among these projects is the Journey Planner Wojhati system, which provides all information required by users of mass transit. It will tell [the] trip fare, [the] easiest method of reaching [a] destination, the presumed walking distance before accessing the first point of using public transport, and the presumed walking distance after arriving at the nearest point to the required destination of the user." The system explains bus schedules, bus route maps and destinations, and all information related to bus stops and metro stations along the journey route.

Al Tayer also explained how the Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system would work and said the system opened up the possibility of using smart cards instead of paper tickets, saving on operational costs, creating multiple-fare products and segments, besides making it easier to market it at various sales points prior to boarding the bus.

The RTA's Public Transport Agency has also embarked on 'The Automated Bus Management project' which aims to improve public transport services in Dubai by offering instant tracking of public buses 24 hours a day and a link-up with buses to ensure timely arrival at the destination.

"The system makes it easy to manage buses through a central control unit, where the attending employee can introduce the changes constantly required to run the service on the scheduled time," Al Tayer explained.

Punctuality: Instant information

Instant Passenger Information System (IPIS) is another facet of the journey planner service being introduced by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The IPIS will enable passengers to assess the actual journey schedules at the respective bus stations, bus stops and metro stations. This enables passengers to know the exact bus transit time, as well as the status of the next, belated or rescheduled buses; making it easy to know the exact bus arrival time.

The project will be implemented in three phases and encompasses installation of about 1,200 display monitors throughout all Dubai Metro stations, and bus stops of metro station feeder service, as well as other bus stops across the emirate.

With the introduction of the complete journey planner, passengers will be travelling in comfort even during harsh summer months, when the average temperature rises to more than 40 Celsius.

Do you use public transport? Which form of mass transport do you find most convenient? Why? Will the new system help you organise your daily commute better?


Your comments


Yes, this will be a very good idea, commuters need not have to wait for hours to get the bus, instead they will get to know of estimated arrival time of bus and will arrive at the bus stop in time avoid waiting at bus stops. Good Work RTA, It would also be wonderful, if such information of transport arrival is available even online. So before leaving office, commuters can check online of estimated bus arrival time and leave offices accordingly.
Faique
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 11:32

That is called vision! We appreciate RTA for understanding the fate of wayfarers not having their personal vehicles.
Hiten Pandya
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 11:25

To make the bus drivers user friendly with the passengers on the bus stop on the road.To stop at the bus stop when the passenger raise their hand.When one bus is stopped the following next bus just passes by without waiting as if the bus driver is in a hury and it is empty as well. Thank you.
Tony Fernandes
DUBAI,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 11:25

I commute from Deira to sharjah every day and the bus facility is not available from Sallahuddin road to Sharjah Rolla. It would be helpful if we get bus from Dubai Cinema Deira to Sharjah Rolla and frequency should be like 5min a bus.
Aneesa Syed
Deira,Dubai UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 11:08

Buses are inexpensive but only problem is time and rush, sometimes you find 3 buses of same number in a row and sometimes you have to wait hours to get single bus of the same number. Planning is all about selection, timing and ride, yes! we can select the bus but what the is surety that the bus will arrive on time? I am not really sure that this system will work or not, because even before this system i used to plan my journey asking RTA or friend.
Raza
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 10:39

Now I am living in Dubai for 5 months. I found out that Dubai transportation is very expensive here and it gets even worse when new rules for the taxi minimum fare Dh10 is implemented from April 1. What we can do? Nothing. I'm only receiving Dh3,000 per month so I hope the authorities will find a solution for these kind of matter.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 10:19

Infrastucture in Dubai I think is amongst the best in the world. For public transport if there is an interactive schedule published on the web for all modes of public transport coupled with a planner suggesting the best alternatives between various routes would be a great.
Ammar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 10:18

RTA is doing a wonderful job. the public bus services are improving day by day hope very soon we can plan to reach our destinations within the time. thank you RTA
Ishan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 09:43

I don't think this will have minimal effect because buses here have a very big issue when it comes to punctuality. As you see on bus stops they have these time tables but most of the time buses arrives very late.
Jhay
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 09:36

Does it also mention how many hours commuters have to spend on the road to find the bus since they are never on time?
Amyn
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 09:32

Good move!! congrats RTA. I am a person trying to use public transport, but i am not aware of the bus numbers and the routes to reach my destination. Hope the new system will help many out there who want to use public transport. Also till this system is up in running i have suggestion. Please include in RTA website the Bus numbers and their respcetive routes. Thank you.
Arun Varghese
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 09:18

I used my car when going before and after work but, I tried many times to used public bus to save money for fuel and lessen the traffic congestion in Dubai. During my trials in using public transport, I left my car on my flats designated parking and take a bus but, this does not help me to reach on my office timing despite of my early waiting on the bus station due to most of the times buses does not reach on time acording to time table and interval. Also, when the bus pass by it is already full so in this, I need to wait for the next bus.
Victor
Dubai,uae
Posted: April 20, 2009, 09:01

I am regular user of public transport, right now the rta bus is quite convenient, because their frequency is good, but the only drawback is that the route is long. Like if a passenger has to travel from Satwa to Deira it takes almost an hour to reach Deira , which is quite tiresome specially during morning hours when you are in a hurry to reach your office on time. If rta could address this issue it would be excellent.
Jaya Anthony
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 09:00

I use public transport most of the time. It may be bus or taxi. For me, taxi is the most convinient transport here in Dubai but drivers should be trained well to be presentable as well as hygenic. Buses are also great but it has loopholes like too crowded or routes does not come to where I am going since our office is in the Green Community. I am excited to test the Metro soon as well! At least it will be easier for me. And I am excited to start organising my daily commute.
Jerry Selayro
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 08:59

I've been using the public transport since 2007. I'm on visit that time so I have no idea which bus number to go. So, I decided to start at the Gold Souq Bus Station. An RTA attendant give me a map and explains briefly the Bus Route. It's very convenient and economical that time because the fare is just Dh1.50. Now the call center of RTA is very accommodating to point out where and which bus number to take to bring where your destination is. In fact they also asks where's your location and street in real time when you are calling. Now, that service alone helps a lot for me and all people uses the public transport every day. Me and my cousins explore places we've never been only using this public transport whether it's the bus or the water bus connect us to destination we want to go. And I also can't wait to this new system to come up more easier and hassle free. Hoping this system will accommodate the masses taking the public transport. Goodluck and more power RTA!!!
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 08:35

The complete journey planner 'Wojhati' will definitely encourage more people to use the public transport system. With the help of the planner, commuters can organise their daily travel schedule and thus save time spent on travel. As the system can be accessed on the internet, it will help people decide their mode of travel in advance. It will also help occasional commuters as they could check on the internet before embarking on the road. Surely people will welcome 'Wojhati' and hope that it is launched soon. RTA needs to be congratulated for initiating such steps to make the public transport system more convenient for the commuters.
Naina Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 08:33

I do use the bus though hesitantly since it goes round and round and round and a trip of 15 mins takes more than an hour, the system will help me get into the right bus- if the bus comes while i am waiting on the stop
Barkha
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 08:32

Yes I am using public transport but no fixed timings of busses and have to wait for one hour to one and half hour for bus.It is very bad
Narasimha Raju U.V.V
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 08:01

These implimentations will make it easier for me and my childre to plan our trips around Dubai, I was always hoping for something like this..although we have a car, I always encourage my children that bus riding is always fun. Believe me it only took one ride for me to convince them. We even prefer the bus now more than their fathers' four wheel drive, I encourage parents also to do the same, and if you're not in a hurry, it's almost as good as touring around..And if Dubai RTA will need voluntary worker to implement a more positive joyride in the bus, I will definitely make it first on the list. because I love the BUS ride..So, see you smilin' around and meet you in the bus...
Mariyah
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 07:51

I am a regular user of the RTA Bus services and I noticed that since the last month(March)it is easier to travel by Bus Service. But it is still difficult during the peak hours after 7am to get to the Trade Centre round about from Deira Maktoum street. It would be appreciated if there was bus Via Maktoum street Deira to Sheikh Zayed Service road towards Crown Plaza side. As it really gets difficult during the peak hours. Thank you.
Angela
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 07:43

I wonder who exactly the Wojhati service is aimed at. The way to get people on buses is for routes to touch more often not at Bus Stations situated in traffic black spots.
David
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 07:21

There are a large number of Christians visiting St.Mary's Church on Sundays and Fridays. Could we have some buses making stops close to the Church so that all could attend to the prayer service.
Maria Saldanha
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 07:16

Have observed that at times 2 or 3 buses with the same Route No. will follow one after another. Could you give me an explanation for this.
Adrian Saldanha
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 07:12

IF you wait for X23 bus which travels between Al Nahda and international city, you will understand how bad the public transport system is. They will keep you waiting for hours and sudently two or three buses will come one after the other. I have this bad experience many times.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 05:59

As long as public transport is considered a low class way of travel, it will be hard for me to use it
Rami
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 20, 2009, 02:41

Having resided in Dubai for five years prior to living in Vancouver, I often used to take public transport there, and back then there was no planning service like "Wojhati" in place. The introduction of the same will indeed be beneficial. But until buses are provided separate lanes on roads, there will continue to be delays, which in turn directly impacts the effectiveness of this system. The authorities should consider making "bus only" lanes.
Kaiwan
Vancouver,Canada
Posted: April 20, 2009, 01:57

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