Barriers have been placed at the park-and-ride car park of Rashidiya metro station in Dubai. The barriers are aimed at preventing misuse of the car park developed for public transport users.

From September 9 the car park serving the red line metro station can be entered with the same NOL card used for Dubai metro, says Ramadan Abdullah, director of the Rail Operations Department of RTA.

“We noticed some misuse of the car park by people who want to park their car but not use the metro or buses serving that metro station. We want to prevent this misuse by placing this barrier,” he said.

For metro or bus users who do not have a NOL card, there is the option of purchasing a day pass at the entrance of the car park.

“The day pass can be used to enter the metro and provides access to the car park. But the car park remains free of charge,” says Ramadan.

Currently there are three Dubai metro stations with a park- and-ride car park; Nakheel Harbour and Tower station offers 3,000 places, Rashidiya 2,714 places. Another 3000 places are offered at Etisalat green line metro station serving commuters from and to Sharjah.

“The barriers placed at Rashidiya station are to test if the measures have the desired effect,” says Ramadan saying that at this point it is not yet clear if misuse is coming down.

He adds that there is an option for people who want to park their car without using the bus or metro.

“The car park can be entered by anybody against the payment of Dh10, with a maximum of Dh50 a day. But the car park is meant for public transport users.”