Living out of their vehicles

Dubai: Spending over four hours a day in his car has become routine for Nasser Fati, 41, from Egypt. Not being able to see his family has also become normal, but is something he says he simply cannot get used to.

"I generally reach my home everyday at around 8.30pm, and by that time my three young children are asleep," he said. "I only have Friday to see them and we really miss each other. It's quite sad."

Traffic, traffic everywhere. Not only is it enraging to find yourself stranded for endless lengths of time, but it just keeps getting worse.

Residents of Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman in particular have had to revise their daily schedules, change plans and venture onto unknown roads, with the aim of finding that magic route which will reduce commuting time, to get to work, home or the children to school on time.

Motorists are being forced to go to extreme lengths to try to minimize the effect of spending hours on end in the car, with some splurging on high-end vehicles for comfort and ease. Others are opting to brave the elements on a motorbike, to substantially cut down on travel time.

The problem is affecting not only those behind the wheel, but also younger UAE residents who say that they simply do not entertain the thought of going to some areas.

Family lives and relationships are also being impacted, and with many being forced to live farther away due to the other perpetual Dubai gripe - rent - hours in the car is a daily reality for thousands.

I work from 9 to 6pm but have to get up at 5.30 to reach my work. It?s so sad to see that even at 5.30am people are driving so recklessly on the roads and even the big buses cut in front cars which causes accidents and yet more traffic.
Layla
Sharjah,UAE

Instead of spending millions and billions on a new infrastructure which will take 2-3 years to complete, RTA could have spent the same amount on buying 300-400 new buses to improve the existing public transport system. Out of these, at least 200 buses could have been made to go between Dubai and Sharjah and at the same time start heavy road tolls for private cars and SUVs. That way 50% of traffic problems could have been solved overnight instead of dragging the current traffic situation out for another 2-3 years.
Rizwan
Dubai,UAE

I think we all will be relieved by the Metro Rail which is coming, but also feel that there should be more efficient transport like shared taxis from Ajman, Sharjah and Dubai to specific places in Bur Dubai. This will relieve drivers and commuters from driving.
Ketan
Dubai,UAE

The license of all rash drivers should be suspended immediately! The main reason behind Sharjah-Dubai traffic is the congestion caused by these rash drivers cutting lanes, driving on hard shoulders and tailgating all the time.
Sheraz
Sharjah,UAE

When they are spending so much money to rectify the infrastructure in Dubai and majorly in the developing parts, why can't they do anything about the Galadhari Underpass where the traffic blockades are for AGES unlike Emirates road and Al Khail road - which are fairly newer developed roads.
Nikhil
Sharjah,UAE

Dubai is growing and the authorities are taking all steps to improve public transport. Dubai is world class! Things will change for the better once the Metro is completed.
Ajoy
Dubai,UAE

If I get the opportunity to take good public transport by tomorrow then I'd take it. I'd rather spend 2 hours reading a book than 2 hourse looking at the car in front of me!
Cornelis
Sharjah,UAE

UAE roads are expanding but the rate of expansion is not in sync with the number of vehicles commuting on the road. Easier licenses and car loans are only adding to the existing misery. One way I feel this could be temporarily handled is maybe by having staggered opening hours of government offices.
David
Dubai,UAE

My work timings are from 9 to 6. It sounds great, but I am living in Sarah national paint round about and my office is at DIFC; I have to wake up at 6am so that I can reach work on time and it takes me two hours in the evening. This means I start my day at 6am and finished at 8:30pm. RTA should focus on decreasing congestion and traffic rather than introducing different/new ideas for development. One should fix the old things before bringing in the new things.
Kash
Sharjah,UAE

The best way to reduce traffic is to make one special lane for Dubai Transport, so that it will always be on time, then people will use government transport instead of their own cars.
Kehul
Dubai,UAE

Public transport should be more efficient so that it can handle the excess passengers as well as heavy traffic.
Shajan K K
Dubai,UAE

I can only say that we should use public transportation!
Sushmita
Sharjah,UAE

I live in Sharjah near national paints roundabout. Even after two years of completing this bridge and ring road, which brought more traffic jams, the proper approach road is still not ready. Who should we complain to?
saqeer . S.V
DUBAI,U.A.E

I am staying in Gardens and my work place is in Satwa. In the morning I travel with a friend in a car which hardly takes half an hour, but in the evening when I get the bus it takes me around two-and-a-half-hours; one hour at the bus stop and the remaining for travelling. The bus never comes in time because of the traffic. The public transport is so hopeless, so I am planning to buy a car. I would never think of buying a car if the public transport was good. Please make the public transport more efficient so that the number of cars on the road will be reduced. In my home town (i.e. Kerala) we use the public transport more than cars. You don?t have to stand more than five minutes at the bus stop to catch the bus. Even now when I go to Kerala I prefer to go on buses.
Priya
Dubai,UAE

It is even more enraging to see the advertising truck hogging up more space on the road during these peak hours. They should not be doing this during these hours.
Suresh
Dubai,UAE

Things are far worse since introducing Saturday as the official weekend. Before I used to travel both Thursdays and Saturdays and now those two days are a nightmare to travel from my workplace DIC to Sharjah and vice versa. It would be a good idea if the authorities could introduce a one lane bike path, at least along Emirates road and SZR, so more people could opt for motorbikes and drive safely without getting into the path of other vehicles. This will both reduce pollution and ease some congestion by taking some cars off the road.
M Srikanth
Dubai,UAE