Users surge 34% when transport made free

Ridership of the metro, public buses and water bus on the Public Transport Day on November 1 hit an all-time high with passenger count on the day shooting up to as much as 693,221 passengers which compares well with 515,828 passengers who used these modes on Tuesday last week, recording in the process a 34 per cent rise.

"The number of metro riders yesterday clocked 404,162 passengers compared to 268,593 passengers on Tuesday last week; which reflects a 50 per cent jump. Passengers using the Red Line soared to 258,922 riders showing an increase rate of 38 per cent whereas the ridership of the Green Line recorded 145,240 passengers reflecting a dazzling increase of about 78 per cent. The number of public bus users clocked yesterday 286,960 passengers which compares well with the bus ridership on last Tuesday which was 246,431 passengers reflecting a 16 per cent rise, and the number of commuters who used the water bus rocketed yesterday to 2099 riders compared to 803 riders on last Tuesday posting a sharp increase of 161 per cent," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Agency.