Record number of passengers use Dubai public transport

Date: 2/1/2013

More than 1.45 million people used the public transport network in Dubai to get around the city on New Year's Eve, according to official figures.

The (RTA) Roads and Transport Authority revealed the passenger figures, which saw many people deciding not to drive, with the majority opting to use the Metro instead.

Since it was first launched in 2009, there have never been so many people riding the Metro in a single day, with 587,542 passengers being transported around by it, breaking a new record.

Of all the stations on the network, the Dubai Mall station, Business Bay station and Financial Centre stations saw the highest level of use.

A further 322,066 people decided to use Dubai's buses and another 40,000 passengers reached their destinations on one of the modes of marine transport available.

Meanwhile, the RTA worked alongside several other organisations including the General Headquarters of Dubai Police and Emaar in order to ensure that traffic flowed safely through the city.

This is generally the case with official and annual events where there are lots of people moving around Dubai and a comprehensive traffic plan had been worked out in advance.

The plan took forms of transport into account, streamlining the way that revellers travelled to and from the Burj Khalifa area, where many of the celebrations took place.

Working hours for the Metro were extended for 24 hours so that nobody was stranded and unable to get home in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Official estimates suggest that 1.7 million revellers enjoyed the gala in the downtown area of Dubai, which is another record number.

Such high attendance requires good planning to ensure that there are no bottlenecks with people unable to leave quickly.

Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of the Dubai Events Council, said: "The event underlines the positive vision that Dubai upholds by serving as a beacon of hope for people and highlighting the happiness and robust outlook that the city brings."

Posted by Nick Anderson

International Transport News and Sustainable Transport News