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Sharjah Transport shifts into top gear

SHARJAH — Beginning April, Sharjah Transport will have the legal authority to investigate and book persons or institutions, associated with public transport, for traffic violations, and they would be liable to pay a fine of Dh1,000 for first violation which would be doubled for second offence.

Revealing this to Khaleej Times in an exclusive interview, Abdulla Al Zarri, Director-General of Sharjah Transport, said the decision was in accordance with a decree issued recently by the Sharjah Executive Council on organising public transport in the emirate.

Among other moves on the anvil are introduction of an affordable public transport system by the last quarter of the year, the establishment of Compressed Natural Gas stations for supply to taxis, replacement of old taxis with new ones at the airport and introduction of a marine mode of transport between Sharjah and Dubai.

In the case of recurrent violations by people involved in public transport, they would be referred to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Naturalisation and Residency Department concerned for further legal action.

"The decision was taken to curb illegal operation of taxis within or outside the emirate since they posed security risk to passengers, particularly women," he said.

According to Abdulla Al Zarri, the Singapore-based CPG Company had completed the draft of the final technical study with regard to the public transport network in the emirate. The company had undertaken a field survey to determine the movement and number of vehicles of various kinds in relation to the population in Sharjah to arrive at the kind of public transportation network required, vis-a-vis the demand. The study also takes into account capacity of vehicles and the number and sizes of termini required, besides forecasting projections for the next 10 years based on population and growth indices.

Sharjah Transport in collaboration with other entities involved in public transportation will be organising a workshop from March 26 to 28 to discuss and evaluate the final draft of the technical study, and decide on the best options to operate the public transport system in the emirate. The mass transport system's fares would be affordable and would not exceed Dh 2.5, and the operations will either be run by Sharjah Transport or by local or foreign companies.

Speaking on the other areas Sharjah Transport was looking into, Abdulla Al Zarri said: "Sharjah Transport has laid down the mechanism for using Compressed Natural Gas as fuel for vehicles, as per the instructions of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Natural gas stations belonging to Adnoc would be set up to provide fuel for taxis."

On the new taxi service launched last in July, he said ST had approved names of some more firms which would form part of the service, and a whole fleet of taxis would set the service in full swing by the end of the year. "About 1,500 old taxis have been pulled out of service in the emirate and another 1,000 vehicles would soon be withdrawn in the next few months as per schedule," he said.

Sharjah Transport had also made an allocation of Dh300,000 as compensation for 175 low-income taxi owners. "Drivers will be given between two weeks to a month's grace period to regularise their status with the Department of Naturalisation and Residency," he said, adding that "agreements have been concluded with two new taxi companies, 'Al Ittihad Company' which will start operations in a couple of months, and 'Al Afthalia Company' which will start operations within a few months."

To upgrade public transport services in Sharjah Airport, old taxis will be replaced by 100 taxis with special specifications which would operate round the clock from April. The new taxis would be run by franchise firms, each provided with 25 vehicles. The fare begins at Dh20 and every 900 metres will cost Dh1.

Al Zarri also announced that Sharjah Transport was looking into the issue of allowing women to drive taxis exclusively for women passengers.

On having joint operations on the Sharjah-Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman transport line, he said: "Sharjah Transport and Dubai Transport have collaborated in transporting one million passengers in 2004 through 70,000 trips which had worked wonders in reducing pressure on the travelling public. Sharjah Transport was also contemplating collaboration with 'Al Ghazal' transport service to start a new service between Abu Dhabi and Sharjah."

On use of natural gas as taxi fuel, he said that following Shaikh Sultan's instructions, Sharjah Transport, in coordination with Sharjah Water and Electricity Authority and Adnoc, will provide taxis with natural gas and other petroleum products in 2006. Studies are underway to identify vehicles which can run on gas, and a delegation had visited Italy to arrive at an agreement with a company dealing in gas-driven vehicles.

On marine transport as an additional option to ease off-shore traffic pressure, he said Sharjah Transport and Dubai Municipality are planning to operate a safe, fast and comfortable marine line between the two emirates which would be accomplished by the end of 2005, he said, adding that Dubai Municipality would appoint consultants this month to study the project.

On train services between Sharjah and Dubai, he said this was an essential mode of transport, but the final decision was in the hands of authorities concerned.

Master plans were being chalked out for the construction of the new Sharjah Transport headquarters in the industrial area on a 1,60,000 square metres plot of land donated to the Authority by the Ruler, and this would include a public transport department, workshops, sites for franchise firms outside the city and gas stations.

Sharjah Transport has established a 24-hour Customer Centre to receive complaints and comments on services and drivers. The public can call 700067000 to register their complaint or comment.

Forging ahead with plans

Old taxis will be replaced by 100 taxis with special specifications which would operate round the clock from April. The new taxis would be run by franchise firms, each provided with 25 vehicles. The fare begins at Dh20 and every 900 metres will cost Dh1.

Sharjah Transport is looking into the issue of allowing women to drive taxis exclusively for women passengers.

Sharjah Transport and Dubai Municipality are planning to operate a safe, fast and comfortable marine line between the two emirates which would be accomplished by the end of 2005. Dubai Municipality would appoint consultants this month to study the project.

Studies underway to identify vehicles which can run on gas.

Mass transport system's fares would be affordable and would not exceed Dh2.5, and the operations will either be run by Sharjah Transport or by local or foreign companies.

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