Dubai's Public Transport: Roads Less Traveled

Dubai's public transportation system plays a key role in developing a sustainable urban environment. The growing popularity of public transport has made it possible for 1 million vehicles to disappear from the roads daily, a senior official announced at an event on Thursday.

Transportation Development in Dubai

In Dubai, one of the most developed cities in the United Arab Emirates, the rate of public transportation usage has shown significant growth in recent years. While in 2006 only 6% of travelers chose public transport, by 2023, this rate had risen to 19%. This growth rate is outstanding compared to large cities worldwide, emphasized Abdul Mohsin Ibrahim Kalbat, CEO of the Rail Agency at Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), at the Dubai Project Management Forum.

According to RTA data, in the first half of 2024, the public transport and shared mobility systems, including metro, trams, buses, taxis, ferries, and e-hailing vehicles, served more than 360 million passengers, representing a 6% increase compared to the same period of the previous year. The average daily passenger number rose to 1.98 million, up from 1.88 million in the first half of 2023. Simultaneously, the daily traffic on roads reached 3.5 million vehicles by 2024, showing a 10% increase in registered vehicle numbers over the past two years.

Sustainable Urban Environment

The increasing popularity of public transportation brings significant benefits to the city's sustainability. Kalbat highlighted that a 70-seat bus typically results in removing 50 vehicles from traffic, while a 700-seat train can replace up to 500 vehicles. This reduction of 1 million vehicles daily demonstrates the power and importance of public transportation in creating a sustainable urban life.

Public transportation significantly contributes to easing traffic congestion and reducing carbon emissions, thus showcasing Dubai's commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.

Challenges and Future Prospects

According to United Nations projections, the world's urban population could increase by another 2.5 billion by 2050, posing enormous challenges for transportation. The rapid pace of urbanization exerts significant pressure on cities, particularly on transportation infrastructure.

Kalbat stated that the greatest challenge lies in providing seamless and efficient mobility solutions for the cities of the future. For this, developing public transportation is essential, offering sustainable and inclusive solutions to ensure the livability of cities.

Experts agree that investing in public transportation is not only beneficial but essential for shaping the future of cities. Dubai's example shows that with the right planning and infrastructure, public transportation can significantly contribute to sustainable urbanization.

Summary

Dubai's dynamic development and commitment to sustainability serve as an example for other major cities around the world. The continuous increase in public transport usage not only reduces road congestion but also contributes to creating a cleaner, more livable, and sustainable urban environment.