UAE residents urged to use public transport, save environment

UAE's transport authorities often develop handy initiatives and awareness programmes on public transportation, and how it could drastically benefit and save our environment. Taxis in the Capital have security cameras, aiding to a safer and more relaxed journey for both the driver and passenger. There are even options for female drivers and large vans for the disabled, or family taxis, if preferred by the passengers.

The trend of owning a number of vehicles per person is clearly on the rise in the UAE, due to various reasons, such as affordable fuel and cars. Moreover, there are those who have different cars to fit different activities, including for work, for the desert and for the family.

A staggering one million vehicles were owned by residents in the Capital in 2015, according to the Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Department at Abu Dhabi Police.

Colonel Suhail Al Khaili, Head of Vehicle Licensing Department, said vehicles consisted of seven varieties, including 908,000 light vehicles, 45,885 heavy vehicles, 18,590 heavy buses, 2,758 light buses, 23,051 in the heavy mechanical vehicles category, as well as 7,518 mechanical vehicles in the light category, and lastly, 10,389 motorcycles.

Dubai on the other hand has over 1.4 million cars that are currently registered, for a city with a population of 2.4 million. In 2014, auto sales in the UAE increased by 13 per cent, which is a drastic difference compared to the growth rate of auto sales in the US, which falls at only 4.6 per cent. The UAE is thus perhaps considered one of the highest in the world in the average annual increase of vehicles.

Hence it is no wonder that the transport authorities are focusing on encouraging people to use public transport.

According to the Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars (TransAD), the total number of taxi drivers in the Capital reached over 8,000 in 2014, and currently increasing by the day. WiFi services will also make the journey a breeze for passengers, since a fleet of Mercedes Taxis was recently introduced.

Furthermore, bus stations can be spotted in just about every corner of Abu Dhabi. There are also the "Park and Ride" options, as well as Abu Dhabi's Metro and Ferry Services. Marine services are also widely popular in Dubai.

According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), there are currently 1,461 buses in Dubai, with over 2,100 bus stops.

Moreover, Dubai's rush hour, which may often be seen as a nightmare for many drivers, has seen a great change, thanks to the Metro and Tram. Thus, with affordable bus, metro and taxi fares, as well as not having to worry about finding parking spots, paying fines and polluting the environment, the question to residents is, why not opt for public transportation when it's available?