Need a reason to use public transport in Dubai? Here are plenty

Dubai - Update: Indian expats win Dh50,000, each, for collecting the most number of points

Residents of Dubai have several reasons for taking public transport rather than riding private cars: Security, convenience, efficiency, money-saving, and above all physical fitness.
Seven-year Dubai resident Jack Romagos, 35, who works as a chef in one of the hotels in Downtown Dubai, swears by the physical benefits he's getting by taking the Dubai Metro to work and back home.
"Every working day, I do at least 25-30 minutes exercise. I walk for 10-12 minutes from Dubai Mall Metro station to the restaurant where I work and spend the same amount of time from work to the metro station in the afternoon," Romagos told Khaleej Times. "It's my way of participating at the 30X30 Dubai Fitness Challenge," he added.
But three years ago, Romagos used to ride with his wife to work. "I felt sluggish before and lost so much time after being stuck in the traffic. That's why I decided to use the public transport full time," he said
"Now I feel more relaxed - less stress on the road - and I can even take a very quick nap when I feel tired in the afternoon," he added.
"One of the best in the world" is how another Dubai resident and Filipino expat, Dr Angelo Santos, describes the mass transit in Dubai, particularly the Metro.
"I cannot be thankful enough for the service, convenience, comfort, affordability, efficiency and cleanliness that Dubai Metro renders to the riding public. Having been to 34 countries and have taken the metro and subways in most destinations that I go to, I can honestly say that Dubai Metro is the best in the world," he declared.
Longtime resident and Indian expat Beena Saji, 48, from Kerala, told Khaleej Times that Dubai has come a long way when it comes to the delivery of public transport.
"When I first came here in 2003, the only mode of public transport was taking a bus. Although the cost back then was just Dh1, it was quite inconvenient for me as every day I had to squeeze myself inside the bus," Beena said.
"Then Metro came and it was such a breeze for me and my children, who are both working in Dubai, to travel from home to work," she added.
"But my only concern and wish is that the RTA would consider making the opening hours of the Metro a bit earlier - like I hope I would be able to take the Metro to attend the mass at St. Mary's at 9:00am," she added.
For Ghanaian Emmanuel Ampofo, the main benefit of using public transport is big savings on his part. "I only spend at least Dh150 every month to commute. If I buy a car, this amount will not even be enough to pay for parking," he said.

Huge response to Public Transport Day

Residents registered strong participation for the 8^th Public Transport Day in Dubai on Wednesday, according to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Abdullah Yousif Al Ali, CEO of the public transport agency and chairman of the RTA Public Transport Day committee, said 50 teams competed in the Transport Day Race, where participants raced through various metro, tram, bus and marine transport stations and performed physical exercises to collect stamps.
The race was still ongoing as of press time, but the winning team with the most number of stamps collected was received cash prize of Dh50,000, while the second and third placers would bring home Dh30,000 and Dh15,000 respectively.
In an update later this evening, it was revealed that Indian expats, Mohammed Hamdan Shaikh Mohiuddin and Abdul Kadar Purayil, won Dh50,000 each for collecting the most number of points by using their NoL cards from October 23 to November 1.
Mohiuddin was ecstatic after receiving a call from the RTA on Wednesday.

The 31-year old data entry agent told Khaleej Times that he has actually been using his NoL card to ride the Dubai Metro for the past four years.

"It's very convenient for me to use the Metro to go to work and now I was even rewarded for it! I will use the windfall winning to pay off some of my loan and, of course, to buy nice gifts for my kids," he added.
Al Ali said: "Other events held by the RTA to mark the Public Transport Day included the 'Golden Runner Contest' which was run via social media from October 23 to November 1. Participants were required to follow the RTA's social networking sites to locate the Golden Runner who daily visited 15 RTA metro stations, five tram stations, three marine transport stations, and two public bus stations. The number of winners at this 10-day event were 30, who were awarded wearable e-prizes (Fitbits) as well as Apple watches and iPhone 8 cellphones."
angel@khaleejtimes.com 

Mohammed Hamdan Shaikh Mohiuddin

• Dubai