The people of Dubai have little confidence in the city’s public transport infrastructure, according to the Gulf Traffic Survey 2005, commissioned by the organisers of Gulf Traffic, the Middle East's premier traffic and transport infrastructure show, which takes place at Dubai International Exhibition Centre until Wednesday (December 14th).
Of the 1,600 members of the public who took part in the online survey at www.gulftraffic.com, a whopping 74 per cent ranked the public transport system in Dubai as “Bad” or “Very poor”. More than half those surveyed (51 per cent) said there was “No chance” they would swap their car for public transport to get to and from the workplace in the next 12 months. However, when the Dubai light rail project is in operation, 74 per cent of respondents said they would consider using it, though for many (69 per cent) the scheduled completion date of 2012 is too far away.
Confirming that in Dubai the private vehicle, specifically the four-wheel drive, is king of the road, almost half of those surveyed (47 per cent) indicated that they would be willing to pay more for better parking provision, while 77 per cent said they thought parking bay sizes should be reviewed because of the widespread use of large 4X4 vehicles. Only 14 per cent of respondents said they thought there is enough parking provision in Dubai, which perhaps explains why 91 per cent would like to see higher and more rigorously imposed fines for vehicles parked across more than one parking bay.
Amazingly, one of Dubai’s oldest forms of transportation, the abra or water taxi across the Creek, is perceived as the best among those who utilise them, with 85.9 per cent of users rating them as “Excellent” or “Good” in terms of efficiency.
In comparison, 74.7 per cent of those who use taxis and 49.2 per cent of bus passengers regard those services as “Excellent” or “Good”. Indeed, more than half of bus users surveyed (51.8 per cent) regard the bus service in Dubai as “Bad” or “Very poor”.
People who feel safe on Dubai’s roads are in the minority, according to the survey. Only 13 per cent of respondents feel safe in their own cars or in taxis and buses. Speed, the poor education of other drivers and bad road design are classified as the main threats to safety on Dubai’s roads. Surprisingly, the use of mobile phones is the lowest ranked factor, after a perceived lack of police enforcement and aggression.
Apparently contributing to the sense of bad road design is the feeling among the vast majority of respondents that Dubai Municipality and property developers are not communicating effectively. Some 94 per cent of people said that when it comes to planning roads and access to new developments, there should be better communication between the municipality and developers.
Commenting on the findings of the Gulf Traffic Survey 2005, Davyd Farrell, Transport Project Director, IIR Middle East, organisers of Gulf Traffic, said: “Data is vital to the development of traffic infrastructure projects, but traditionally there has been a lack of it in this region. The results of the Gulf Traffic Survey 2005 have been illuminating, and we hope that the major industry players from both the government and non-government sectors who are participating in Gulf Traffic this week will take heed of this timely and unique insight into the thinking and activities of end users.”
About Gulf Traffic
Gulf Traffic is the Middle East's premier traffic and transport infrastructure show. Now into its 3rd edition, Gulf Traffic will be the largest-scale traffic event the region has ever seen. Combining both a conference and an international exhibition, Gulf Traffic is the forum for addressing the region’s traffic and transportation needs.
Chief event sponsors for Gulf Traffic 2005 are Dubai Municipality with the UAE Ministry of Interior as the key government sponsor. Gold Sponsors for the event are leading transportation consultants Wilbur Smith with both 3M and Avery Dennison as Silver Sponsors.
New features for 2005 include dedicated areas for; Parking, Highways, GIS & Urban Planning and Street furniture and lighting. Also new for 2005 is a co-located exhibition & conference for railways, MENA Rail 2005 will be the MENA region’s first dedicated event of its kind. For more information, please log on to: www.gulftraffic.com
