15,000 use public transport in Sharjah each day

Abdulaziz Al Jarwan, director of the RTA, also announced the launch of new routes at the beginning of next year, including a service connecting Dibba Al Hosn with the city of Sharjah.

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SHARJAH // More than 15,000 people use the emirate’s public transport system each day, according to the Roads and Transport Authority.

Abdulaziz Al Jarwan, director of the RTA, said statistics for 2014 showed more than 15,000 people travelled by buses and taxis a daily basis. He also announced the launch of new routes at the beginning of next year, including a service connecting Dibba Al Hosn with the city of Sharjah.

The service is in response to complaints from Dibba Al Hosn residents about the lack of a direct link to Sharjah city, with people having to travel to Khor Fakkan or Kalba to catch a bus to the city. The new direct route will be tested for three months with buses that can carry up to 15 passengers available every 90 minutes. Extra taxis will also be available for hire.

“Between 2008 and 2013, all cities on the east coast were connected with public transportation, however, some routes had to be cancelled due to weak demand and the high cost of operating those routes, including the route from Sharjah to Dibba Al Hosn,” said Mr Al Jarwan.

A total of 75 special taxis were sent to the areas where bus routes were discontinued, with passengers paying a flat of Dh5 to travel anywhere within Dibba Al Hosn.

The RTA is also considering opening two new routes for industrial areas in Sharjah to accommodate the high demand while eight new buses were added to routes to and from the Al Nahda.

tzriqat@thenational.ae