UAE | Traffic and Transport
Roads get busier as expats return from holiday
Sharjah residents say they have to brave increased traffic and also wake up earlier to make it to work on time.
- By Maysam Ali, Staff Reporter
- Published: 21:39 August 13, 2008
- Image Credit: Karl Jeffs/Gulf News
- Traffic built up at the Trade Centre underpass towards Shaikh Zayed Road after a minor accident occurred on Wednesday morning.
Dubai: For those who spent their summer in the city, the brief moments of bliss when roads in Dubai were relatively less busy are almost over - residents are back to work and the streets are as busy as ever.
"This week was busier than the past weeks in the summer season," said Mohammad Hajj Ali, 29 who lives in the Majaz Area in Sharjah and works in Deira, Dubai.
"The most congested parts are Ittihad Road and right before Al Nahda Bridge. Because I use shortcuts, driving through industrial areas, this saves me around half an hour. But taking the normal route to Dubai usually takes an hour and 15 minutes," he said, adding that traffic jams are back once again.
Residents of Sharjah have to tolerate the traffic on the roads but also wake up earlier to make it to work on time.
"I leave the house before 7am; if I leave after 7am, 20 more minutes are added to my trip. After Al Mulla Plaza, the traffic gets better and the ride smoother," he said. Traffic congestion, especially in the summer, causes much stress and tension in driving.
"People are driven so mad by the traffic that it affects their driving. No one respects road rules unless there is a traffic policeman and it makes the disciplined drivers really frustrated," said Hajj Ali.
Talal Al Halabi, 25, who lives in Sharjah and works in the human resources department of a company in Dubai, said that commuting within each individual emirate is becoming an increasing problem, especially with more people coming back to Dubai.
"It's not that bad because I work in Academic City so it takes me 35 minutes, but if my office was in Internet City or Jebal Ali, I would definitely have to change my house," he said.
He said that going out for meetings on the job is proving to be a hassle, more so now than earlier this month.
"It takes forever to reach the place and I'm almost always late because of traffic, which reflects badly on my appointments and wastes much of my time," he said.
Blocked
"Emirates Road and Al Maktoum Bridge are so busy that it seems the way to Jebal Ali is almost entirely blocked," he said.
The way back home is as congested. A long day at work is almost always prolonged on the road.
"I leave Dubai around 4pm to escape the traffic, but if i leave at 5pm ... I don't make it home before 6:30pm," Al Halabi said.
Although it is still summer for many families and residents in Dubai, traffic is starting to weigh on their minds. With schools and Ramadan around the corner, things are not looking very good, they said.
"I am dreading September because everyone will be here; we hope this problem will be resolved soon," Hajj Ali said.
Have your say
How do you plan to combat increased traffic congestion as people return from their summer holidays? What is the worst thing that happened to you while being stuck in traffic? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
Your comments
I work in Jebel Ali but stay in Muraqabat area. My sincere request with RTA is to start some buses to Jebel Ali from Muraqbat area. Now X 28 started. It?s good. If this bus comes to Muraqbat area or DNATA area it will help us to reach our office in time
JANET
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 14, 2008, 10:56
The scenario is told; read, discussed, individuals reacted in columns and tired. What is the result?
Almullah plaza on Shrajah - Dubai route is the most affected point by traffic congestion. Once this point is crossed, the traffic flows easily. This point is to be manned by sufficient number of police patrols right from 05:30 AM to control the disruptive drivers crossing the lines to reach in front of the queued up gentle drivers in order to enter Dubai road. This type of action is ultimately creating traffic stagnation.
Ravi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 14, 2008, 08:40
I appreciate the work done by RTA in Dubai. I do not understand why Sharjah Authorities are not taking any steps. The actual congested areas are Dubai-Sharjah joints and this is not because of Dubai but because of Sharjah. I would request Sharjah to take steps or give this responsibility to RTA...
Danish
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 14, 2008, 08:33
Staggered timings for offices/Schools will reduce the traffic flow.
Change of working days for different organizations will help reduce the traffic.
Female staff should be given flexibility to work from home.
Schools holding annual day functions should seek prior approval from RTA.
Azhar
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 14, 2008, 07:59
Traffic congestion will considerably be reduced if the school timings are changed. If school starts later, after 9.00 A.M.
B. Davis
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 14, 2008, 06:54
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