DUBAI // More than 262.5 million journeys were made in Dubai using public transport in the first half of 2014, a 37 per cent increase on last year, according to Roads and Transport Authority, RTA.
The RTA is seeking to raise the share of public transport means to 30 per cent by 2030.
“The share of public transport means grew from six per cent in 2006 to 13 per cent in 2013 and is expected to hit 14 per cent by the end of this year,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman and Executive Director of the RTA.
“This sustained growth has been made thanks to a superb and integrated mass transit means network comprising the Dubai Metro, a modern fleet of public buses and marine transit means comprising traditional abras, water bus, Dubai Ferry, and the water taxi,” said Al Tayer.
“The last quarter of this year will witness the launch of the Dubai Tram; a further addition to public transit means poised to serve a large segment of residents in an area characterized by high population density and a hub for visitors heading to it throughout the year.”
The Metro Red and Green Lines over the past six months saw 81.4 million journeys taken, a 14.3 million increase compared to the same period last year. Deira City Center Station topped the ridership recording 3.66 million journey makers. As for the Green Line, Al Fahidi Station was the busiest accommodating 4 million journey makers.
Public bus commuters during the first half of this year made 67.6 million journeys, which is a 11.3 million increase compared to last year.
The marine transit means comprising abras, water bus, water taxi, Ferry Dubai, have recorded 7.18 million riders, with abras taking almost all the load by ferrying 6.64 million passengers across Dubai Creek.
More than 53 million taxi trips lifted 106.6 million people around the emirate in the first half of the year.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
