Statistics compiled by Rail Agency at Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai revealed that 42,782 passengers have been lifted on Monday September 14, 2009 across 10 stations on the Red Line of Dubai Metro, pushing up the total number of passengers served by Dubai Metro since inauguration on 090909 to 279,782 passengers.
The Director of Marketing ‘&’ Corporate Communication Department at RTA Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector, Peyman Younes Parham, described these statistics as a great success for the RTA.
Parham said: ‘They reflect the huge turnout and public up-take of Dubai Metro as a means of mobility. We are thrilled with this uprising trend in metro ridership; which is coming through in a record 24 hours only. Moreover, it is a strong indicator of the revival of public transport sector, thanks to the latest and best mass transit mode in Dubai, Dubai Metro. Such a drive will undoubtedly contribute to the realization of RTA vision of providing Safe ‘&’ Smooth Transport for All.’ Commenting on Nol Cards, Peyman said, ‘Nol cards can be purchased from 22 RTA sales outlets across the emirate of Dubai: 5 Public bus stations, 8 marine transport stations and 9 RTA Customer Service Centers. They are also on offer at Spinneys Hypermarket branches all over the emirate. This step is intended to provide the best means of paying for mobility fare in Dubai, provide more options for buying Nol cards, and minimize the congestion of metro users to buy Nol cards from Metro stations’. He cautioned that only one card to be used per passenger as it is not permissible to use a single card by more than one person.
‘Metro users are urged to follow-up some guidelines for the general safety such as the compliance with the safety instructions of using the metro stations and trains. They are also required to heed to the guidance of station attendants in peak hours to avoid thronging the stations during the boarding and alighting process, or when there is a change in the service timing. Passengers are also required to see to it that their card balances are topped up when making multi-zone travels,’ commented Peyman.
Besides these guidelines, Peyman went further to offer tips to commuters saying, ‘Metro and station users are advised to plan their journeys in advance, link their journeys with other transport modes in order to achieve integrated public transport. Metro travelers are also advised to have their Nol card balances topped up to avoid waiting for extending periods to complete this process, particularly during peak time.’
