UAE | Traffic and Transport
We will reduce traffic in our own way, RTA says
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) defended its decision not to participate in World Carfree Day, saying efforts were ongoing every day to reduce traffic congestion in the UAE.
- By Kevin Scott and Mariam M. Al Serkal Staff, Reporters
- Published: 07:25 September 22, 2008
-
All revved up over World Car-free Day
Drivers in a jam all revved up over World Car-free Day
Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) defended its decision not to participate in World Carfree Day, saying efforts were ongoing every day to reduce traffic congestion in the UAE.
Peyman Younes Parham, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at the RTA said the organisation had its own mission statement with similar goals to today's worldwide initiative.
"We certainly encourage and support events such as World Car-free Day but we have our own mission statement to reduce traffic levels and preserve the environment," said Parham.
"There are so many events like this happening every year that we can't participate in them all. However, as an organisation we are taking strides on a daily basis including work on an integrated public transportation network.
"It is important to remember the responsibility of the public as well in that each individual person has to understand their obligations," he pointed out.
"We can't force people to stop using their cars. They have to start carpooling or using public transport at their own will."
A senior official at Sharjah Transport said it wouldn't be easy to implement a car free initiative in the emirate of Sharjah, home of some of the country's worst traffic congestion.
He said: "We are in the process of inviting consultants for a master plan of Sharjah with regard to public transportation in general, such as bicycles, taxis, buses and their routes. It is not an easy task to implement in a city like Sharjah that is congested with traffic.
"But the overall concept of implementing a world car free day is good because it creates awareness on the importance of public transport which in turn will help combat traffic congestion."
Share this article
Related Articles
More from UAE Traffic and Transport
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Have your say
Living in untidy homes
Do you think that people who live in untidy homes have bad character?
Latest news
- Khalifa congratulates Karzai on re-election
- Khalifa receives congratulatory call from Talabani
- Complaints against cab drivers decline
- Camel in RAK gives birth to twins
- No hike in water, electricity rates
- Thalassaemia website 'will help educate youth'
- Saif is appointed Emiratisation chief
- Experts call for reviewing green cost of desalination
- Readers: Less water usage means less desalination
- Dubai Police open centre to combat marine pollution
- Pavement parking irks pedestrians
- Man jailed 3 years in fatal assault of colleague
- Murder: Mother gets stiffer sentence
- Traffic Prosecution adopts humanitarian step
- 'All-green' project to ease traffic flow
Community Reports
-
Pavement parking irks pedestrians
Gulf News reader calls on authorities to step in and stop car owners from invading pathways meant for safe walking
-
Faded parking lines pose a problem
Motorists could be fined for parking incorrectly even though they can hardly see the boundaries in the designated areas
-
School buses block residential parking
Commercial vehicles taking up free parking facilities in Al Wuheida, inconveniencing residents in surrounding villas
-
Community report: Doing their bit for poor children
A group of students takes concrete action to raise funds for Dubai Cares
