Dubai Roads and Transport Authority affirmed that the rate of metro, tram and public bus fares in Dubai is 50.6% lower than those in London, Tokyo, New York, Chicago and Hong Kong. The results of a poll conducted by "Emirates Today" on "Twitter" showed that the prices of public transportation in Dubai are high for a number of respondents, while field interviews with a number of tourists and national employees revealed that the prices are appropriate for them, stressing that they are cheap in relation to the level of The quality, safety, effectiveness, and luxury available in it.
An economist emphasized that the public transport tariff cannot be determined in advance of the total value of the per capita income, such as the rate specified for the cost of treatment, noting that there is no economic equation in any country in the world that determines the cost of public transportation.
In detail, an investigation conducted by «Emirates Today» on the public transport tariff in Dubai revealed that it is the least expensive compared to its tariff in five global cities, including developing cities.
The newspaper had received opinions and complaints from a number of public transportation users in Dubai, including the metro, public buses and shipping means, stating that the prices are high, specifically the metro tariff, compared to countries in North America, such as Canada, as they say.
The result of the research came in the value of the public transport tariff in Canadian cities, contrary to their belief, as it became clear that the metro trip tariff in Dubai in the same direction and range is equal to three dirhams (with a Nol card), compared to Canadian $ 3.25, equivalent to nine dirhams for the metro trip tariff in Toronto. About the scope of the service itself.
suitable prices
While the results of the poll, which was conducted by the newspaper on its account of «tensioning», showed that 36% of the 435 participants, find public transportation prices a little high, and 48% find it high relative to per capita income, compared to 16% who said it is not high.
Contrary to the results of the “Tension” poll, and the opinions received by the newspaper from residents in the emirate, the opinions of some visitors to the city of Dubai came, including visitors from Arab countries where the per capita income level is less than Dubai, such as Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt, where they found that the tariff Public transportation in Dubai is convenient and not high, and some have asserted that it is cheap in terms of luxury and service efficiency.
A visitor, who used public transportation with her husband, stressed that the prices are very reasonable, specifically the Dubai Metro, and the tram, which is characterized by effective and elegant service, explaining that she and her husband were able to visit many tourist sites using public transportation, which allowed them to enjoy the time without any obstacles. A young man (18 years) who visited Dubai for the first time said that he felt comfortable and safe when using the metro, which helped him to move between the homes of his relatives separated between the outskirts of the city, and saw that moving using the marine transport stations and the metro is not only a kind of pleasure, but a kind of budget rescue The vacation, as he recognized her economy, helped him do many family and leisure activities.
Faster and easier
National employees of both sexes reported that the prices of public transportation are appropriate, and cheaper than their counterparts in several countries, and a young employee said that he used public transportation, especially the metro, because it is the fastest and easiest for him, given the passage of its stations in many vital areas that he used to visit. He added that he prefers to use the metro to reach many events and events organized by the Emirate of Dubai, as it not only shortens the time to get to the sites, but also relieves him from searching for a position for the vehicle, stressing that he finds public transportation easy, practical and economic, and many of his friends are government employees They use the metro, especially those whose stations cross near their duty stations.
A citizen employee, working in one of the ministries, said that she relies on the metro to move between the headquarters and branches of the ministry, to attend business meetings or participate in vocational training courses, considering that public buses are an easy and convenient way, at a low cost.
Another citizen found public transportation a practical and economical option, especially for young people in the study phase, as it is a safe and affordable means of transportation for students who are still spending money from their families.
Price review
The Executive Director of the Public Transport Corporation, Ahmed Hashem Bahrouzian, explained to «Emirates Today» how to determine the tariff for public transport in Dubai, stressing that the prices have been reviewed and adjusted once during the past 10 years, pointing out that the tariff will not be reviewed again until after the expiration of an exhibition period "Expo" in 2021, according to justifications calling for revision and amendment.
He explained that the calculation of the value of the adjustment is carried out according to the use of a mathematical equation to estimate the value of the adjustment required in the tariff, and that it is subject to known scientific checks and conditions.
He stated that the average tariff for metro, trams and public buses in Dubai is 0.37 dirhams per km, while it reaches 0.75 dirhams per kilometer in the standard comparison cities approved by the authority, such as London, Tokyo, New York, Chicago and Hong Kong, meaning that prices in Dubai are 50.6% lower than them. Behroozyan mentioned that setting tariffs in Dubai is not done according to the cut-off time or kilometers of the trip, pointing out that the mentioned numbers were referred to for the purpose of standard comparison with other cities. He pointed out that the fundamental review of the structure, packages, value, number and borders of the tariff areas is supposed to take place every five years, but it also does not take place unless a number of conditions are met, the most important of which is the change in the number of passengers and operational costs reaching less than or more than 20%. As for the periodic review of the tariffs, Bahruzian said that it is carried out annually in some cities, such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Munich, based on inflation rates and changes in operating costs, but Dubai does not review the tariff annually.
Exchange share
In response to a question whether public transportation prices are determined in advance, in proportions commensurate with the average level of per capita income, and specifically the income of individuals most used for transportation, the expert, Professor of Macroeconomics at the University of the Emirates, Dr. Osama Swaidan, said that this rule is not followed in the countries of the world, except Economic surveys and living conditions study take into account that public and private transportation tariffs are commensurate with the ability of individuals to use them.
He added that the percentage of citizens spending on treatment in the UAE does not exceed 2%, as a result of the state's support for the health and treatment sector, adding that statistical data showed, in recent years, that the percentage of individual spending on public and private transport does not exceed 15% of the value of his income, explaining that those The percentage was achieved through field interviews conducted by statistical offices specializing in collecting this data. He stressed that there is no academic economic equation that determines the ceiling for the cost of public transportation tariffs in relation to per capita income, explaining that the factors that determine the tariff differ from one city to another and from one country to another, according to the size of government support, and the economic and social level of users of those means.
The most expensive capital
The World Index revealed in a report published last month that London is the most expensive capital for public transport tickets, compared to 12 countries in the world, as well as the rate of "transportation ticket value" per month compared to the rate of citizen income to GDP.
The report pointed out that public transport tickets in London are the most expensive in the world, as their value exceeded cities known for the high prices of public transport tickets, such as New York, Paris and Hong Kong.
He added that while the ticket price in Washington, DC, is 3.79 dollars, it is 5.10 pounds in London.
Dubai public transport rates have been adjusted once during the past 10 years.