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29 March 2024

Is drop-off point to your Metro station close?

Published
By Majorie van Leijen

Metro stations in Dubai provide a plethora of facilities… buses at regular intervals connect stations to adjacent areas; pedestrian crossings provide safe route to the station; taxis and private vehicles pick up and drop Metro commuters at dedicated areas from the Metro station…

However, at some Metro stations in Dubai the drop-off zones for private vehicles are located a little too far, according to some commuters.

“My mother-in-law visited us last month. She wanted to ride the Metro, so I decided to drop her off at the nearest Metro station, Nakheel Harbour and Towers, in my car,” narrates Rakesh Joemrati. “I was hoping to drop her off right next to the station…but there was no drop off point in the vicinity of the station and she had to walk a good distance.”

Anecdotes like these are not unheard of. At some stations, commuters are not content with the drop off location, as it does not seem to be practical. This is the case at Noor station, for example.

“I have had to drop off people more than once at Noor station and each time I go around in circles, trying to find the right place to stop. But the most convenient spaces are for taxis or buses, and the nearest place to stop for a private vehicle is quite far from the station,” said Meesha Kohli, an Indian resident in Dubai.

According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) this is the case at some stations, where circumstances prevented a drop-off point right next to the station.

“RTA is always keen to provide the ultimate comfort to all types of Metro users. To achieve this objective, all Metro stations were facilitated with adequate passenger pick-up and drop-off points, which are designated for buses, taxis and private cars, at close proximity to the stations.

“But in some cases, physical barriers or utility constraints limit the number of those facilities, requiring to locate them at relatively distant places which still have good connections to the entrance pods of Metro stations,” said Abdul Redha Abu Hassan, Director of Rail Planning and Projects Development at RTA.

Meanwhile, the facilities are always under evaluation and subject to improvement, as new studies of the Metro stations are underway, he explained.

“RTA has programs to assess its facilities and services, taking necessary measures and applying the ultimate improvements for a better customer satisfaction. New studies are planned for 2015 to be carried out at select Metro stations, which aim at investigating all possible accessibility issues and deciding one the necessary mitigations for each individual case.”

Does this mean I can park at the taxi-designated areas? wonders Rakesh. “It might be the best alternative for a quick drop off, but I do not know if I would get into trouble with that.”

“Each pickup and drop-off space is designated for the use of a particular mode of transport. Parking or waiting extra time at undesignated spaces is subject to a fine of Dh200,” added Hassan.