Dubai transcends 14 grand cosmopolitan cities

A scientific study commissioned by Simon-Kucher & Partners Co. revealed that Dubai has outclassed 14 established metropolises in providing public transit means characterised by high-quality, durability, safety, speed, luxury, cleanliness, and on-time journeys. Dubai mass transit systems also stood out in terms of the availability of passenger information and modern technologies such as the smart apps enabling public transport users to pre-plan their journeys in order to get to their respective destinations in a smooth, safe and express manner.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), expressed his delight with the findings of the study which proved the superiority of Dubai city to established metropolises some of which started developing their public transport systems more than a century ago.

"The massive investments injected by the Dubai Government in the transport infrastructure proved both successful and effective. The spiralling growth of public transport ridership illustrates the evolution of the culture and attitudes towards using public transport by various spectrums of the community. The RTA has taken quick and solid steps towards fulfilling the objectives it set since inception namely; the provision of an integrated roads and transport system that ensures smooth traffic flow, provides highest safety levels to all users, and realises the multi-modal integration of public transport in the Emirate of Dubai," said Al Tayer.

"The urbanisation achieved over decades by several countries and metropolitan cities of the globe including the UAE and Dubai Emirate in particular, has been associated with plenty of challenges and issues such as urban transport problems; which are mainly reflected in congested roads, snarls, noises as well as all sorts of audio-visual environmental pollutions. Accordingly a need emerged for developing systems and means to make life easier in these cities in a way that addresses social, economic, and service aspects, including a system of transport forming an integral part of the economic and urban development in advanced cities," stated Al Tayer.

The sound planning of public transit means plays a crucial role in achieving the future development of mass transit systems in any country or city aspiring to achieve modernisation of various social, economic, service and tourist aspects. The effective planning can best be achieved through concerted efforts of all public and semi-public entities, strategic partners, public transport riders, business community, and educational institutions such as schools and varsities as well as social and humanitarian organisations. It also requires instilling and promoting the culture of using public transport means among new generations as they will grow up accustomed to using these means rendering them their first daily mobility choice," added Al Tayer.

Findings: The study of Simon-Kucher & Partners Co. conducted in August and September 2014, covered the Dubai Metro, public buses, and marine transit means (didn't cover the Dubai Tram as it was opened after the completion of the study). The study concluded to name Dubai city the first city in the world in providing public transport means serving the airport; with a service frequency of 20 journeys per hour. Dubai has also been named as the best city offering one-way ticket fare as this sort of tickets in Dubai is considered the cheapest compared with other metropolitan cities worldwide, whereas Zurich was named the most expensive in this aspect worldwide. Moreover, the monthly fares in Dubai rank it among the best three cities in the world, whereas London is classified as the most expensive in terms of monthly tickets.

The study showed that public transport means in Dubai and Zurich are the best worldwide in terms of cleanliness of transit modes and associated facilities such stations, stops and other infrastructural components. Dubai was also ranked second in the world in the quality of services offered and the overall satisfaction of public transport users. Dubai tops the world cities in providing the highest number of service hours via customers' service centres and the hotline represented by the Call Centre at Customers Service Department of the RTA .

Effective Planning: The CEO of RTA Rail Agency Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, said: "The public transport sector plays a pivotal role in driving the development of any city in the world. As far as the economy is concerned, transportation in general and public transport in particular is vital for connecting the production elements and areas by offering transportation to individuals, commodities and raw materials. The transportation system has also a social dimension in connecting community members especially with the sprawling urban expansion of cities which resulted in spreading community members keeping them a distance apart, thus a wide-ranging advanced mass transit network is essential to keep people connected.

"As for urbanisation, the public transport network in the city serves the requirements of various districts and sectors enabling them to run daily activities and events of the city through lifting individuals, materials and services from one place to another. Accordingly, this facilitates the realisation of the intended objectives of working, shopping, entertainment, besides achieving personal interests and serving other humanitarian activities," added the CEO of RTA Rail Agency.

Dr. Yousef Mohammed Al Ali, Executive Director of RTA Public Transport Agency, said: "The RTA has attached utmost importance to effective planning for establishing a wide and advanced public transport system and considers the urban transport planning a multi-faceted as well as a multi-stage process aimed at setting sound pillars of a sustainable mass transit system. This planning process is required to match the ongoing urban expansion in accordance with specific timeline and objectives to meet the needs of the people for accessible, smooth and safe mobility means as well as suitable levels of other ancillary services.

"Given the existing growth rates, high population density in cities, and multitude requirements of living in an urban environment, charting pre-set plans of a solid public transport network capable of fulfilling the needs of users, has become an overriding requirement. Such plans have to address the rising numbers of private vehicles associated with the high growth rates and improved living standards since they also add to tailbacks, trigger traffic accidents and generate environmental pollution," added the Executive Director of Public Transport Agency.
Source: WAM