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Bus passengers increase by 20pc

DUBAI — The number of passengers using public transportation under the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has increased by 20 per cent to reach 4.1 million passengers in the first half of 2006 as compared to the same period last year.

Mohammad Obeid Al Mulla, RTA's Deputy Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, said, "The increasing number of commuters using the RTA public transportation mirrors the confidence that the public have of the service standards being offered to them. It is also a reflection of the authority's commitment to continuously upgrade the services and improve the road networks that link Dubai with other UAE emirates and cities."

All this, he added, "is in line with the RTA's policy to provide maximum safety and low-cost transportation, thus catering to the needs of society. Operation of the Dubai Metro in 2009 will reduce the dependency on private transport and will encourage people to switch to public transport thus eliminating the problem of traffic jams."

"To complement these developments, we will be introducing the smart traffic system shortly and will realise necessary legislations," Al Mulla added.

Meanwhile, Najib Al Zarooni, RTA's Director Inter-city Transport, said, "This increase is due to the opening of the Dubai-Abu Dhabi route in March this year. The fleet of medium-sized, air-conditioned buses that operate between the cities has reached 115 and the service is under the supervision of qualified and well trained staff."

According to Al Zarooni, the network of the public transportation between cities has reached 11 linking Dubai with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Al Ain, as well as Al Dhaid, Massafi, Jebel Ali and other residential, commercial and industrial areas.

These achievements are in line with RTA's policy to increase and improve the transportation between the emirates and thus eliminate the burgeoning traffic situation through a comprehensive road network.

Providing safe transport and reasonable fares that can cater to all sectors of society are other vital reasons for the implementation of such services.

Al Zarouni said, "Revising and renewing the standards of performance has top priority in the RTA's policy. The plan includes conducting statistical studies to determine the new areas which need services, while the results of the studies will be used for implementing flexible operation plans. It will also encompass improving services at bus stations by gradually replacing old buses with new ones. It includes the optimum use of human resources according to the applied standards as well as the application of the latest electronic systems for booking and issuing tickets, and receiving customer feedback on a regular basis."

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