Capital to bring down number of private cars

abu dhabi — Abu Dhabi is working on a futuristic integrated public transport plan that will end over-dependence on private cars.

The Department of Municipality and Transport (Dmat) said the surface transport project which will be built in phases in 25 years “aims to change transport behaviour from dependence on private cars to a fully integrated public transport system that makes use of new and upcoming technologies.”

The department held the final draft master plan workshop for the Capital Surface Transport Master Plan (CAPSTMP) last Friday, following an intensive oneyear study. Awaidha Murshid Al Marar, Dmat’s chairman, attended the workshop along with stakeholders from all government agencies to review the draft plan.

Dmat will implement the plan based on several stages within the next 25 years. Over 30 stakeholders have also been involved in the process through a series of major surface transport related workshops and meetings.

Dmat also invited engineering and planning students from universities to participate, given that they will have a major role in delivering the plan in the future.

Meanwhile, an independent panel of five international experts provided a peer review of the plan and gave a feedback on the plan.

“I’m proud to have our students, pioneers of the future, involved with us today. They are the power that will help us accomplish more successes and developments,” said Al Marar, chairman of Dmat.

“Achieving our leadership’s strategy is associated with our national capabilities to accomplish the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision. Consequently, Abu Dhabi will be one of the best places to live in, work or visit.”