Abu Dhabi ‘transport day’ marked by fare hikes

The increase in fares of public transport buses in Abu Dhabi became applicable ironically on the same day as the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) third annual Public Transport Day (November 1), surprising many passengers who were not aware of the hike announced last month.

The Department of Transport (DoT) has more than doubled the fares on some routes. Many residents, particularly those using the buses within the city such as Mohammed Mazhar, were taken aback when asked for Dh2, which was double the usual fare.

“As usual I gave Dh1 to the driver from the Tourist Club Area to Hamdan Street, but was shocked when asked for Dh2. I was not aware of the increase. I use the city buses almost seven times a day even for short distances, because I’m suffering from diabetes and my leg does not allow me to walk a lot,” the Indian expat said.

He also said now with fares doubling, his transport expenses will also double and he would have to spend more on travelling within the city than going out of town.

Another resident, Shafiquz Zaman, a Bangladeshi mason working for a contracting company and earning Dh800 a month, said the transport department should have spared fares for within city and for Mussafah and Baniyas.

“Workers with low-earnings like us have to take these buses more frequently for work, especially within the city and to Mussafah.

It will affect (our) budgets and (we) may not be able to save enough to send back home to our families,” said Zaman. The DoT said the increase was part of an overall adjustment to the public bus fee structure in the emirate and would also involve fee changes for regional and inter-city bus services.

Another resident, Joel Bautista, a Filipino supervisor, said those shuttling between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain more frequently for work-related trips would be badly affected, with the fee getting more than doubled.

“The most affected will be those who frequent between the two cities. If the fare was hiked to Dh15 from Dh10, that would have been more acceptable for many commuters. And also those using the buses within the city many times a day will feel the pinch.”

However, there was at least one resident, Abdul Majeed from Pakistan, who was happy with the doubling of the fare within the Abu Dhabi city. “When the fare was Dh1 all the buses were flooded with people because people were taking advantage of cheap rates and using the buses unnecessarily.

Pick-pockets also took advantage of the jam-packed buses. Now at least we can expect thinner crowds in these buses.”

Bus fares

While earlier the rate for regional bus fare was a flat rate of Dh3, now it has gone up to Dh2 plus 5 fils per km (Dh5 for reaching the final destination). In the case of intercity buses, the fare has gone up from a flat rate of Dh10 to Dh10 plus 10 fils per km.

Bus passes Dh500 ‘Hafelaty’ annual pass for full-time studentsFree ‘Reaya’ for special needs and elderly people (above 60) ‘Ojra’ city pass to double from Dh40 to Dh80 a month.

nissar@khaleejtimes.com