DUBAI - Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, announced that the ridership of public transit means in Dubai, comprising the Metro, Tram, Buses and marine transit modes (abra, ferry, water taxi, water bus) as well as e-hail vehicles, smart rental cars and taxis (Dubai Taxi and franchise companies), have combined lifted about 589 million riders in 2018. The figure reflects a notable increase from 2017, which amounted to 569 million riders. The daily public transport ridership clocked 1.610 million riders in 2018; which compares well with 1.56 million riders reported in 2017.

Reflecting on the statistics, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said, "December recorded the highest number of public transport riders clocking 52.4 million riders, with breakdown as follows: 18.2 million riders for Dubai Metro, 15.4 million riders for taxis, 14.7 million riders for buses, 2.1 million riders for shared transport (e-hail and rental cars), 1.4 million riders for marine transport, and 580 thousand riders for Dubai Tram. March saw the second highest ridership rates recording 52.3 million riders. Ridership in the remaining months ranged from 45 million to 52 million riders.

Dubai Metro has accounted for the lion’s share in ridership of shared public transport, accounting for 35%, followed by taxis (30%), and buses (29%). Dubai Metro (Red and Green Lines) lifted about 204.4 million riders last year, compared with 200.8 riders in 2017. The Red Line carried 132.4 million riders compared to 128.5 million riders in 2017. The Green Line served 72 million riders last year; which was similar to the number of passengers carried in 2017. Burjuman and Union Stations, the two transfer stations shared by the Red and Green Lines, handled the largest number of riders last year. Burjuman Station served 12.8 million riders, and the Union Station served 10.9 million riders.

The Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre Station was the busiest on the Red Line recording about 10.8 million riders. The jump in the ridership of this station is attributed to the closure of Nakheel Harbour & Tower Station due to the undergoing works of Route 2020 Project of the Dubai Metro. On the Green Line, Al Fahidi Station ranked first attracting about 8.1 million riders.

Last year, the Dubai Tram lifted 6.4 million riders, compared with 6.2 million riders in 2017. Public buses served 167.9 million riders compared with 155.032 million riders in 2017. Marine transport modes (abras, water taxi, waterbus and ferry) served 14.14 million riders compared with 13.076 million riders in 2017. Shared transport (e-hail, smart rental cars) lifted 22.16 million riders compared with 17.05 million riders in 2017. Taxis (Dubai Taxi and Franchise Companies) lifted 173.768 million riders.

Al Tayer was delighted with these indicators as they illustrate the effective plans and programmes undertaken by RTA towards providing diverse mobility options for people in Dubai. "Dubai’s public transport means, which are fully integrated, have now become the backbone of people’s movement across the Emirate. This network has succeeded in bringing about a change in the culture of all community segments and their perception of public transit means," noted Al Tayer.

"People have started to realise the benefits of using public transport such as the physical and mental relief, higher safety level, and saving on fuel and maintenance associated with the use of private vehicles, among other expenses. Statistics indicate that the share of public and shared transport in the movement of people had increased steadily from 6% in 2006 to 17.5% in 2018, recording in the process an annual increment of 9.3%," said Al Tayer.

© Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2019.