More on board the car-free campaign

Early on Wednesday morning, the fourth Car Free Day 2013 was inaugurated by Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, by riding the Metro from Etisalat to Union along with Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water; Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qattami, Minister of Education; and other top officials of government organisations and private entities.

An unusual sight at the Union Metro Station was the municipality’s huge empty parking area, where instead of cars only the odd bicycle was seen. The area under the bridge was carpeted and a stage set for the inaugural ceremony.

On display were eco-friendly cars and recycled products showcased by the Transport Department, while a group of coaches provided tips on the benefits of walking.

Most municipality officials were happy to leave their cars home. , Secretary at the Building Department Ayesha Abdul Kareem, who has been with the municipality for 23 years, was quizzed by her four-year-old son as to why she wasn’t taking the car. And to show Saeed why, she brought him along to the function at Union, giving him his maiden Metro ride in the UAE. Sources said the initiative was more successful this year with an increase in public awareness.

Twenty-seven government departments took part in the initiative this year resulting in a cut of carbon emissions by 15 tonnes as compared to last year’s 10.5 tonnes.

About 5,000 employees from different participating organisations left their cars at home and used other public transport means to reach their offices.

Hamdan Al Shayar, Head of Environment Department at the Dubai Municipality urged the public to use the car free day as an example to introspect on carbon footprint.

Head of Properties Department, Khalifa Abdulla Hareb, said he frequently rode the metro as a matter of routine inspection and even enjoyed taking the metro “from Reef Mall to the fish market”. While there was an increase in commuter traffic at the metro, there wasn’t a significant enough decrease of cars on the road.

The departments and institutions involved with the Dubai Municipality this year included the ministries of Environment and Water, Public Works, Education; Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Radisson Blu Hotel.

news@khaleejtimes.com

Fact box

• In 2010 – the Dubai Municipality’s first car-free day – a meagre 1,000 vehicles participated in helping reduce three tons of carbon emissions.
• In 2011, the Department of Land and Property, Chamber of Commerce and Industry and etisalat joined the Municipality where 2,400 cars were off the road, deducting carbon emissions by 4.2 tonnes.
• In 2012, 18 organisations participated resulting in 3,500 vehicles being off the roads witnessing a 10.5 tonne reduction of carbon emissions.
• This year, 27 organisations participated and cut carbon emissions by 15 tonnes.