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29 March 2024

A hassle-free ride for commuters

Dedicated parking lots at Metro stations will make it easier for commuters to use the service. (DENNIS B MALLARI)

Published
By Staff Writer

With three large parking facilities – free for Metro users – located in Rashidiya and Nakheel Harbour & Tower on the Red Line and Etisalat on the Green Line, travellers will never find it difficult to find a parking space.

All new bridges and links to the parking lot of Al Rashidiya Metro station will open today, said a senior official.

A dedicated parking lot with capacity of 2,700 cars for Metro users has been attached to the Al Rashidiya Metro Station as part of the "Park and Ride" initiative launched by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to encourage motorists to park their cars and use the Metro.

"New bridges and link roads have been built at the cost of Dh698.9 million to provide direct and easy access to motorists from Emirates Road, Khawaneej Road and Mirdiff to Al Rashidiya Metro station parking lot," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the board and Executive Director of the RTA.

Al Tayer said: "This project has been undertaken as part of the RTA drive to upgrade key roads network in the emirate and link them with the parking lots attached to Metro stations. RTA is stepping up efforts to implement several road improvement projects, and widen key and arterial roads in the emirate as envisioned in the RTA Strategic Plan.

"Rashidiya is a key station as it is the starting point of the Red Line. The station measures 130 metres in length and 30m in width, and has a capacity to handle 11,000 passengers per hour per direction. The station has two entry points fitted with escalators and lifts to ensure smooth passenger traffic in and out of the station, along with a parking lot to accommodate 2,714 vehicles so as to lure motorists to use the Metro."

The opening, which coincides with Dubai Metro's launch, will ease the traffic flow to and from the parking lot of Rashidiya Metro station.Motorists coming from Sharjah and other northern Emirates can park their cars at this station to ride the Metro.

The building is linked with a footbridge connecting the other side of the road with the Metro station and it will not take more than three minutes to walk from the farthest parking slot to the entrance of the station.

"The building has also been equipped with all safety requirements needed for passenger traffic within the parking lot," said Al Tayer.

"Undertaking such projects highlights RTA efforts to provide fast and smooth roads network for commuters to access Dubai Metro stations. This is part of the master plan to upgrade mass transit modes in the emirate and attract new riders, thereby ease road traffic congestions and raise the percentage of trips made by public transport modes from six per cent to 30 per cent. Such objective could only be realised with the provision of top quality mass transit modes at affordable cost and with a wide geographical coverage to compete with private vehicles."

"The ground floor of the parking building is designated for feeder buses, and the design of the building has been customised to accommodate articulated and double-deck buses to ensure smooth bus traffic and the ability to handle several buses at a time," Al Tayer added.

Feeder buses will be available to transport passengers from specific locations to the nearest Metro station. The RTA recently purchased 518 Citea buses at a cost of Dh845, 738 million and eight-year fleet maintenance and service agreement costing Dh1.50 billion. The new buses will be deployed on feeder lines of Dubai Metro stations. Each bus measures 12m in length and has a capacity of 68 passengers. The buses are equipped with high-tech air-conditioning system and security and safety standards.


Facilities for disabled

- Contrasting tactile guidance path for the visually impaired

- Ticket counters within easy reach for wheelchair users

- Dedicated toilets for people with disabilities

- Lift access to all station levels

- Dedicated spaces for wheelchair users on all trains

- Clear way finding signage

- Information displayed on screens throughout trains and stations

- Platform alerts as audible bleeps when doors close and corresponding flashing light signal


Penalties for violations

Fines of Dh100 will be handed out to anyone caught eating or drinking on the Dubai Metro.

And penalties will rise to Dh500 for offences such as destroying, damaging or tampering with devices, equipment or seats of public transport facilities and services. A Dh200 fine awaits any passenger who tries to use the Metro system without a valid ticket.

"Anybody found violating the public transport rules will face a fine for it is important to ensure comfortable travel for every passenger and protection of public transport property and facilities," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority.

Spitting or littering will result in fines. Destroying, damaging or tampering with devices, equipment or seats of public transport facilities and services is also punishable. Causing inconvenience or discomfort to other users will result in fines. Smoking within the public transport and carrying alcoholic drinks will also result in fines.

Al Tayer said: "We cannot allow passengers to damage the mass transport and its facilities, including buses, trains, stations and other services."

He added that those involved in vandalism and damaging means of public transport would be taken to task. These rules will be applicable on all modes of public transport including the Metro, public buses and the water buses.

"Safety and security of passengers is our top priority and there will be no compromise on it," he added.

He said more than 660 police officers specially trained to protect the passengers and the transport system will provide security for the Metro.

 

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