Abu Dhabi Park and Ride gets thumbs up but few use it

Abu Dhabi: A free service that gives drivers coming from outside the capital access to bus transportation throughout the city so far appears to have few takers.

The Park and Ride service launched by the Department of Transport (DoT) last month allows motorists free trips for an entire day.

Vehicles can be parked at 600 bays available at Zayed Sports City where drivers and a maximum of three passengers can use shuttle buses that are launched from that area every 15 minutes during peak hours and 30 minutes for the remainder of the day, according to a statement from the Department.

Although many residents who spoke to Gulf News expressed enthusiasm over the initiative, few vehicles were present near the Sports City parking area, indicating that the service was scarcely being used.

“I think if the buses being provided are of a high standard and are clean then the Park and Ride service is excellent. I would rather use the shuttle buses for an errand that will take me, for example, half an hour instead of using my car and making the trip one or two hours long while I find a parking,” said Abdul Aziz Al Maamari, an Al Ain resident who works in Abu Dhabi city.

“Even the health benefits of using shuttle buses will be good because it saves drivers some of the anxiety that road congestion and lack of parking spaces within the city can cause. However, I would like to see more assembly points like Zayed Sports City in places further away, such as Mohammad Bin Zayed City for people coming in from Bani Yas and other emirates,” the 38 year-old Emirati government department manager told Gulf News.

Commuters can use their ‘Park and Ride’ tickets obtained on site to take shuttle buses within the city from 6am until 8.30pm from Sunday to Thursday.

Another resident supported this service due to its environmental benefits.

“It is generally more convenient for people to take the bus and be spared the hassle of finding parking and getting stuck in traffic in general. However, I think one important positive by-product of taking the bus is the amount of petrol being saved as well as the general advantages of car-pooling. If the routes are clearly marked and I find that they go all over the city, then I will definitely use the Park and Ride service for my trips,” said 24-year-old businessman Sajjad Kamal.

Despite repeated requests, the Department of Transport did not respond to Gulf News’ questions.