Metro changes Dubai scene but car-lovers stick to the road

And despite Dubai's severe financial crisis, the rail authority is determined to complete its second line, delayed for over a year.

Since Sept. 9, 2009, when the network opened, the number of daily trips has reached 120,000, for more than 30 million riders, says Mattar al-Tayyer, CEO of the Road and Transport Authority.

Passenger numbers are expected to hit 40 million in 2010, Tayyer said, with the opening of the remaining stations on the Red Line, the first of two lines to enter service in the city of around two million people.

On one recent day, just after 3 p.m., when most employees leave work during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, passengers crowded the platforms at several stations of the Red Line.

“Using the train is better than being on the road, to avoid traffic jams,” said Vijay, a 36-year-old Indian who works in customer service at a driving school.

He said he has been using the train for three months, since he got his new job, which is located in the upmarket Mall of the Emirates shopping center.

“It takes me only half an hour to get to work,” said Vijay, compared to spending up to two hours on a bus, or in car-pooling.

Egyptian Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed, 25, also says the train is a great option.

“It is comfortable and fast. No traffic congestion,” he said, sitting in a spotless carriage, where eating, drinking and even chewing gum are banned.

In a bid to lure motorists to park and ride, RTA built free multi-storey parking areas at some stations. But few appear to be taking up the offer.

“Only the ground floor is open” said a security man at the multi-storey car park of the Nakheel Harbour and Tower station, towards the southern end of the line, which can accommodate 3,000 vehicles.

Less than 150 cars were left during a weekday.

Not surprising, as motorists in the Gulf are strongly glued to their car seats.

A survey published recently by Regus, a workplace solutions provider, has showed that 91 percent of working people in the UAE prefer to use private transport, with 79 percent using their cars to commute and 12 percent taking taxis.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi have modern bus networks, and the latter has plans underway to develop its own metro.

“Car saves time and effort,” said Muatassem al-Qudat, a Jordanian teacher who has been living in Dubai for nine years and does not use the metro.

He complained of the stifling heat during most of the year in the desert emirate, which makes walking to and from stations an unpleasant experience.

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