UAE | Traffic and Transport
Public look forward to riding Dubai Metro
General reaction is positive as commuters see opportunity to adjust their daily schedules to a convenient alternative mode of travel that will save them time and money
- By Rabab Khan, Community Interactivity Editor
- Published: 23:04 June 22, 2009
Dubai: The Dubai Metro came closer to reality when the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the ticket fares on Monday.
Gulf News readers were satisfied with the standard fare, which is set at Dh2 for a single trip.
Keith Lupton, a 56-year-old British expatriate, is looking forward to using the Metro.
He said: "Dh2 for a single trip sounds good. I would be using it for leisure purposes, so I do not mind any price. It would be extremely convenient to travel to places, especially those on Shaikh Zayed Road. I have seen the practice runs and I'm quite excited."
Lupton, however, thinks that the price of a day pass should have been lower. The RTA has placed it at Dh14, for a 24-hour coverage.
He said: "Dh14 may be a lot for some people with lower income levels as compared to mine. It should have been around Dh10."
Mohammad Ebrahim, a 25-year-old Pakistani expatriate, is content after hearing about the "reasonable rates".
He said: "I cannot wait for the metro to start and I assume that anyone would be willing to pay Dh2 to be able to reach their destination stress-free! However, there are several people in low-income groups who would want to purchase the day pass and at Dh14 it seems slightly expensive. It should cost around Dh10 instead."
Salve Pelingen, a 27-year-old Filipina expatriate, thinks the rate is "fair and affordable".
She said: "I reside in Sharjah and I would love to use the Metro en route to Dubai as it seems like a practical form of transport. The rates would definitely be an encouraging factor, as they are quite low as compared to the cost of petrol. We won't have to worry about traffic or finding a parking spot, either."
A special 30-day student pass can also be obtained, which costs Dh170.
Taher Burhani, a 19-year-old Indian expatriate and student, commutes to Dubai Knowledge Village every day.
He said: "I usually car-pool with a friend and have to pay at least Dh250 per month for petrol. When it comes to expenses, the student pass sounds very reasonable. Currently, we have to face unexpected traffic each day and look for a convenient parking spot. These factors will then be eliminated."
Burhani's major concern is the location of the Metro stations.
He said: "At the moment we step out the door and sit in the car. However, it might be a little hard to walk to even the closest station, especially due to the heat."
Mary Wairimu Nganga, a 30-year-old Kenyan expatriate, agreed.
She said: "The closest station is quite a distance from my house. I would have to catch a taxi to get to the station, which means it would cost me more than Dh2 for a trip."
Nganga, however, is willing to use the Metro over the weekends as it is a new concept for the UAE. "I would rather use my car, though," she said.
Salman Khan, a 24-year-old Indian expatriate, is curious to try the Metro at least once due to the hype created around it.
He said: "Being a new phenomenon and something that I have been hearing about since five years, I would most definitely be trying the Metro to see what it's all about."
Khan is a part-time student and commutes to Dubai Knowledge Village twice a week.
He said: "As a part-time student, I might be further inclined to using the metro if it makes my journey shorter as compared to travelling by bus. Dh2 is a nominal fee that the public buses charge, too. However, I feel the RTA needs to further elaborate on the tariffs to give the public a better idea."
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