Dubai: Users of the public transport system including Dubai Metro will now end up paying more as the number of mobility zones in Dubai has been increased from five to seven in a run up to the opening of the Green Line in September.
The Green Line which mainly covers the Central Business Districts (CBD) in Deira and Bur Dubai will now fall in two zones — one each on the Deira and Bur Dubai side.
Earlier, it was confined to just one zone meaning that the maximum fare on the Green Line was supposed to be just Dh2.5 but with the introduction of new zones the maximum fare on the Green Line will be Dh4.5 as it falls in two zones now.
Similarly, passengers using the Metro between Al Rashidiya station and Bur Dubai will pay double the fare, from a maximum Dh2.5 to Dh4.5, for a single journey.
Fares for Dubai Metro will range from a minimum of Dh2.5 to a maximum of Dh6.50 for a single journey in case of using the Red Nol Card whereas the fare for the same journey ranges from Dh1.8 to 5.8 in case a passenger uses a Silver card — the most popular travel card.
The maximum daily fare for public transport is Dh14.
Ideal option
However, with the introduction of the monthly pass, a passenger will be able to travel unlimited for Dh100 within the same zone, for Dh180 in two neighbouring zones and for Dh270 unlimited in all the seven zones.
The RTA has already introduced discounted Nol Blue cards for students and elderly passengers and free cards for special needs people.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said: "The monthly subscription to Nol Blue Card is the ideal option for commuters using public transport modes on regular basis. The RTA has launched this service to encourage various community segments to use mass transit means."
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has increased the number of mobility zones in Dubai from five to seven.
The zoning system was introduced to rationalise the fare collection system at the time of the introduction of the integrated public transport system including the Dubai Metro, public buses and water transport.
The zoning system was first introduced at the launch of the Red Line on September 9, 2009. A whole new zone has been created in Bur Dubai area from Dubai Creek to Al Hadiqa Road near Al Quoz.
The increase in the number of zones will have a major impact on the users of the Green Line which is expected to open in September this year. Zone 5 has been divided to include a new zone (Zone 6) in Bur Dubai.
Double fare
With this new zoning system, passengers on the Green Line will have to pay double fare for travelling in two zones. Also passengers using the Red Line between Deira and Bur Dubai will also have to pay double fare.
Passengers travelling from Al Rashidiya or any station from Deira side will have to pay fare for three zones (the maximum fare) travelling to areas beyond Al Quoz to Jebel Ali.
The RTA senior official has defended the move. "The decision of rezoning Dubai into seven zones instead of five is triggered by the expansion of areas covered by public transport means, particularly as the operation of the Green Line is fast approaching next September, coupled with an increase in public bus routes," said Al Tayer.
Stations in new sector
The Red Line stations impacted by the rezoning are:
- Khalid Bin Al Waleed
- Karama, Jafiliyah
- Dubai World Trade Centre
- Emirates Towers
- Financial Centre
- Burj Khalifa Dubai Mall
- Business Bay stations as they all fall into a new zone (zone 6).
