Drive against private buses in Sharjah locality draws flak

Sharjah: The Sharjah Municipality has begun imposing fines on buses taking commuters from Al Rolla in an attempt to reduce traffic congestion, but residents working in the Jebel Ali and Al Sufouh areas of Dubai complain the move has added an extra hour to their commuting time.

"Coming from Al Khan, there is only one way to go to Sharjah and that is Al Khalidiya Bridge. Since we are not allowed to pass through, some passengers get down at a nearby supermarket to take a taxi back home," Asish V, who relies on a bus operated by a private transport company to get to his workplace in Jebel Ali, observed.

"Over 40 minutes are wasted because the bus driver has to take a detour now through Buhaira Corniche. The babysitter cannot stay with my child for the additional time and instead of getting home at 7pm, I arrive at 8.30pm," he said.

Al Khalidiya Bridge is located opposite Al Jazeera Park, between Al Majaz and the Fish Market.

An official at Sharjah Municipality said a fine of Dh500 on private buses has been enforced since November in order to reduce traffic congestion in the Al Rolla area.

Despite repeated attempts by Gulf News, Sharjah Municipality refused to officially comment on the subject.

Joseph Anthony, another commuter, said the crackdown is taking a toll on his family life.

"I am now late for my prayers, I do not get any time to help my children with their homework and hardly get a chance to spend quality family time because they then go to bed after having dinner," said Anthony.

"The drive back home is very long since I leave the office at around 5pm and arrive home after nearly four hours, because we cannot go through Al Arouba Road. So, although there is no problem with the coaster bus picking up passengers, I do not see why they are not allowed to drop us off," he said.

Not given prior notice

Sathyanath, operations manager at Fancy Transport, said he had no idea as to why the bus operators were being fined, especially since the municipality had not issued any prior notice about the new traffic regulations.

"The municipality inspector who issued the fine did not inform the bus driver why he was not permitted to go through. They only said that buses are now banned from dropping off passengers.

"We will not have a problem in taking a detour once Al Wahda Road is opened but, in the meantime, commuters have to waste their time along Buhaira Corniche," he said.

Have you been impacted by the municipality's decision? Have you noticed a reduction in traffic congestion in Al Rolla recently? Do you have any other suggestion to reduce traffic congestion in the area?