City bus service can be improved

Increased routes and better connectivity will inspire more people to take public transport

Passengers will not be hit by higher fares when they travel on buses in the capital, despite the deregulation of fuel prices, the Department of Transport has said. Ravindranath K / The National

The number of journeys on Abu Dhabi’s buses fell dramatically when the fares were increased three years ago. The sudden drop in passenger numbers indicated how much price influenced rider numbers. As such, the Department of Transport’s recently decision not to increase bus fares is prudent.

Many people use the capital’s bus service and the Department of Transport has responded to the demand with better service. Today, more buses ply more routes than ever before, while an automated card system – Hafilat – has been introduced this year to make it easier for passengers to pay their fare. Yet for all the progress, much work remains to be done to encourage drivers out of their cars and into the public transport system. If not, the city will eventually become gridlocked.

To address this issue, more buses should be introduced on a larger number of routes with a frequent, reliable schedule that is available around the clock and especially during rush hour. Launching shuttle bus services in residential pockets of the city and suburbs would integrate previously ignored locations with the main bus network. Better connectivity will not only help current passengers, but create the potential for new ones. There could also be an interactive online route map, such as Transport for London’s “Plan a Journey” website, to make it easy for commuters to work out how to get to their destination and where to make connections.

Customer complaints, including those about bus shelters with faulty air-conditioning units or broken doors, should be addressed quickly. And there should be a programme to install bus shelters where they don’t yet exist.

Efficient public transport is the cornerstone of a modern city. Abu Dhabi has urbanised rapidly and continues to expand at a remarkable pace. Creating better transport infrastructure as the city grows will ensure that the city continues to meet the demands of residents.