Commuters resist fare hikes by RTA

Following the announcement that seeped through very local and national media outlet; discussing the likelihood of an increase in the public transport fares including buses and the Dubai Metro, has left many commuters unsatisfied. A realignment of Dubai’s mobility zones is under process, after which these higher fares will be implemented specifically in Central Business Districts. The current Zone Five, which stretched from Satwa in the south to Mamzar and Al Qusais in the north, while covering central areas like Karama, Bur Dubai, Al Ras and Gold Souq have been divided in such a way that Karama, Satwa and Bur Dubai have been clubbed together to form Zone Six while the rest of the areas would remain in Zone Five. This means a short journey between Al Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai to Gold Souq in Deira, which now costs Dh2.30, would cost Dh4.80 from August 12. Most commuters’ feedback about this change has been negative and marked as ‘unfair’. After thousands of commuters eagerly awaited the launch of the Green Line to add extra efficiency and ease into their daily commute; this price hike has irked their enthusiasm. “The division is unfairly done; this is against the supposed policy of RTA to attract more people on public transport. It will affect regular commuters like us. I will now have to pay Dh5.60 instead of Dh2.30 to travel between Rashidiya and Satwa,” said Jose Martinez, who works as a secretary in Rashidiya and lives in Satwa: Quoted by the Khaleej Times. While some commuters do not mind or object to this change, others find it almost traumatizing as although the fare might seem small, it is still almost double what they used to pay and which accumulate on a monthly basis to double the previous budget. However, many just simply can’t wait for the entire Green Line to be operational as it will make travelling easier and faster.