It is very satisfying and encouraging to see that, according to recently released first-quarter figures, patronage has increased across the public transport network in Dubai.
The network represents the vanguard in public transport systems in the GCC.
The Dubai Metro is the city’s backbone and main artery, and further extensions are coming to ensure that it serves and feeds new areas, and supports the city’s growth.
Extensions will serve the World Expo 2020 site and Al Maktoum International Airport as well as new residential and commercial communities and the world-class leisure and hospitality facilities across the city.
Public transport is developing rapidly in the unique context of the Smart Dubai and national happiness initiatives. Having a high quality of life includes ease of mobility. And it all needs to be sustainable, which means that transport systems must be clean and energy efficient.
The Dubai Metro set the standard and opened a new chapter in the development of public transport when it opened in September 2009.
Since then, we have seen a raft of projects along the same lines, including tramways and new bus services.
In Dubai, new technology is being harnessed with the latest advances in driverless systems that provide a range of benefits including a high degree of automation and the removal of human error. Dubai’s move towards driverless vehicles is state of the art. But what is the vision for the region’s public transport systems?
As oil prices fluctuate and pump prices are adjusted to reflect real costs, private cars are being supported with new infrastructure and parking spaces to alleviate congestion. Public transport is rapidly becoming a more reliable, safe, secure, clean and efficient alternative to the private car.
The trend towards greater reliance on, and investment in, advanced public transport is established. But what comes next?
The key to a successful public transport network is taking a systematic approach, in which all elements are integrated in a single underlying design to create the seamless travel experience that passengers want. This will make it attractive and efficient, and will draw increasing numbers of passengers.
This means bringing together all forms of transport – metro, tram, bus, taxi, car – into an integrated system that allows for flexible short and long journeys.
What does an integrated system look like?
Planners rarely get the chance to work from a blank piece of paper. Very often we need to commission new rail, metro and tram services, and develop bus and coach networks, by taking over and restructuring existing networks.
We have to factor in the transit authority’s goals and financial resources and, of course, implement changes to transport systems that are already in operation without disrupting services to passengers.In this region, of course, there is the opportunity to innovate in mobility.
With the greenfield projects in this region, there is a unique opportunity to innovate to meet passenger expectations. This can mean new forms of mobility, including electric vehicles. But it’s not just about the hardware.
Decision-making tools, such as systems displaying real-time information about traffic, capacity loads and waiting times, are now available, as are apps and devices that make transport use more enjoyable.
For a safe and efficient transport service, we need a whole range of people and skills to make systems work – from professionals capable of taking action in emergency situations to customer satisfaction engineers. While populations are increasingly urbanised, there is still a need to ensure that we can reach all parts of the country with both regular services and services on demand for more remote areas. Services should be easy to use and navigate for citizens, residents and visitors, at all times of day and night.
There is no doubt that, over time, a metro becomes part of the city’s culture. We see this in all the world’s great cities. Think of the Tube in London and the Metro in Paris.
With the growing passenger numbers, we are seeing that same thing emerge in Dubai – and it’s an exciting part of that city’s growth and development.
Olivier Badard is senior vice-president of development at the international subsidiary of RATP Group, the Paris public transpor operator.
