A wake-up call for the RTA

The latest Gulf News-YouGov Siraj survey on public transport in Dubai, published yesterday, must surely come as a wake-up call for the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

According to those polled, RTA services faired less than well in a wide range of activities that come within their remit. The poll illustrated the sense of frustration experienced by commuters especially, but also other users of public transport.

While recognising that, from the point of view of the RTA it is a continual uphill battle to provide adequate and efficient services to the public, the survey demonstrated that in many instances the RTA personnel involved with direct contact with the public have to do much to improve the service provided to them.

As an example, an astonishingly high 85 per cent of passengers were refused by taxi drivers to be taken to their chosen destinations for one reason or another. With 70 per cent of the public not using public buses, it means that an extra burden is placed upon taxis, which taxi drivers obviously fail to acknowledge.

These aspects push commuters into vehicle ownership, say 92 per cent of respondents, which only helps to contribute to traffic congestion and environmental pollution.