After three-day weekend, people in Sharjah want metro to Dubai

All households in the emirate have been asked to participate in a citywide census that will offer insights on how to improve their quality of life

Residents in Sharjah believe an efficient, safe and cost-effective public transport system will ease congestion in the city. The National

The three-day weekend and several exciting new projects in Sharjah have improved the work-life balance for many, but residents believe that having a metro and better connectivity would, to a large extent, solve the traffic problems they face.

Earlier this week households in Sharjah were urged to participate in a citywide census by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, who said it will pave the way for more development projects.

When asked which projects they would like to see, people in the emirate told The National that a metro line that connects the emirate to Dubai would be beneficial.

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  Workers build an underground tunnel at Union Square Station, one of two underground stations where both Dubai Metro lines meet, in 2008. Reuters

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  Construction of a metro station on Sheikh Zayed Road in January 2009. Alamy

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  Scores of buildings under construction along the new metro line are seen on June 15, 2008. AFP

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  Construction of a track line support column for Dubai Metro under way. Alamy

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  Workers at a construction site for Dubai Metro pictured on May 28, 2008. AFP

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  Construction for Dubai Metro under way ahead of its inauguration in 2009.

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  Dubai Metro passes Dubai Marina during test runs a week before its opening on September 9, 2009. Stephen Lock / The National

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  Murals painted on the Metro support pillars in November 2018. They were painted by two international artists, Peruvian Daniel Cortez and Dominican-born, Miami-based Elio Mercado, known as Evoca1. Reem Mohammed / The National

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  Commuters file into Noor Bank Metro Station in September 2018. Victor Besa / The National

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  Commuters wait to take the Metro.

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  Dubai Metro has served more than 1.5bn passengers since it opened 10 years ago.

An efficient, safe and cost-effective public transport system, the replacement of roundabouts with bridges, the construction of hospitals in remote areas and the opening of schools outside popular school zones are some of the things on their wishlist.

“A metro in Sharjah will not only reduce traffic congestion and end the hours-long commute from and to the emirate, but also help in protecting the environment,” said Abdulrahman Saeed, 33, from Sudan.

“It also means more time with family and well-rested employees, who will certainly be more productive.”

Yaqoob Al Hammadi, a retired educational expert, agreed with Mr Abdulrahman that the metro was perhaps the best option to solve traffic problems in the city and to and from Dubai.

“It is essential that Sharjah introduces a train or a metro,” he said.

Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, have previously announced a number of development projects in the emirate including Khor Fakkan University Expansion. Credit WAM

Another important project that people want to see put in place is the removal of clusters of schools from a few areas.

“Several schools are in the same area and this is something that must be looked at,” Mr Al Hammad said.

Every day hundreds of parents pick up their children at the same time and from the same zone, leading to traffic jams that affect nearby districts.

“I used to send my children to school an hour earlier and pick them up an hour late to avoid traffic gridlocks around their school complex,” Mr Al Hammad said.

Yousif Saleem, 50, a Jordanian father of two, spends between three and four hours on school runs every day.

“My children go to Rosary private school in Muwaileh area, which is home to at least 20 schools,” he said.

“Can you imagine the number of cars on that one street during drop-off and pick-up hours?”

Emirati Khaled Mohammed, 48, believes that remote areas such as Dibba Al Hisn and Kalba need better services.

“We are talking about schools, hospitals, better roads and malls to provide people living in these areas with all the services they need,” he said.

“Even in the city, several internal roads are still not paved.”

Longer weekend in Sharjah — in pictures

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  Families enjoy their day off at the Green Heaven Farm in Sharjah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  Nassir Al Kashwani, 45, a Sharjah Department of Finance employee, with his daughter Hajar, 8, at their home. Photo: Nassir Al Kashwani

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  Tala Saadi, from Jordan, says her children Juman, 10, and Rayan, 7, spend the extended weekend at home watching content on their tablets. Photo: Tala Saadi

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  Beit Sitti Restaurant in Sharjah’s Al Qasba has reported an increase in footfall since January. Salam Al Amir / The National