Abu Dhabi residents hail 50% bus fare cut

abu dhabi — Residents in the Capital, especially kids and elders, have welcomed the new set of rules and fines that make travelling comfortable and safer. The icing on the cake for most was the ‘half-ticket’ or 50-per cent discount for those under 10 years and those above 55.

Students welcomed the move but most of them hardly use public transport and were largely unaware of Hafilat card, which they said is always with their parents.

Rihana Farheen, Grade 4 student of Abu Dhabi Indian School, is excited about the half-ticket rule.

“This is a great move to remember and recognise little ones like us. This will be a great help for me when I go for my tuitions accompanied by my mother. I also learnt through your paper that those under 12 years shouldn’t travel without adults. It was good to have some concession for my parents too. Also, I just have one doubt how this will be implemented. There is no clarity as to how I will get this concession while I buy a card and put money in the vending machine,” the 10-year-old said.

Elders have rooted such an initiative as a generous move to ease pain ahead of new tax regulations.

G Vijayaraghavan, an engineer at a private company in the Capital, said the stringent rules and 50 per cent discount will go a long way in making travelling smooth and trouble-free. “I read about the rules on eating and using tobacco products inside buses. I have come across people drunk inside buses. It is good that all such people will be punished. It will be interesting to see how the authorities will manage this. I have lot of old-timers who had turned to buses after the taxi fares were hiked to Dh12 as a minimum fare,” the 61-year-old said.

Shahjahan Nawabjan, 55, HSE manager at a private company, is a regular user of public transport, especially bus. “This rule comes as a big relief. From next month, the new tax initiatives are going to be a big balancing act for me in terms of budget. So, such a discount is a big relief. I am a regular user and each dirham saved is one dirham spent

This will be a great help for me when I go for my tuitions accompanied by my mother.” Rihana Farheen, Grade 4 student of Abu Dhabi Indian School

I have come across people drunk inside buses. It is good that all such people will be punished.” G Vijayaraghavan, 61-year-old engineer I am a regular user and each dirham saved is one dirham spent more in this country.” Shahjahan Nawabjan, 55-year-old HSE manager

more in this country. I am grateful to the decision makers. This shows the care they have shown towards the elderly,” he said.

All the residents have given thumbs up to the new rule.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com