Public transport use set to rise with increased fuel costs
Experts say demand for taxis likely to stay consistent
ABU DHABI // An increase in fuel prices is likely to encourage more car users to consider switching to public transport, experts say.
The change, however, will happen only if the increase in cost is substantial, and if the public transport system is accessible, reliable and of high quality, said Sonal Ahuja, regional director of PTV Group, which provides software and consultancy services for traffic and transport planning.
His comments follow the Ministry of Energy’s announcement that it will deregulate fuel prices starting on August 1.
“Public transport can only become successful if its accessibility and operations become better than the car,” Mr Ahuja said.
“Of course, increasing the fuel prices is one of the steps to make these things happen, but fuel prices would have to increase substantially [ for drivers] to make this switch.”
The UAE climate is not favourable to walking long distances, he said. “Nobody wants to walk 5 to 6 kilometres to make a journey by bus or the Metro,” he said.
“One of the big issues of Dubai’s Metro system is that people have to walk to the stations. People will tend to use their personal cars unless these stations are connected well to a feeder system.” Mr Ahuja said funds raised from the price increase should be invested in a transport fund.
“If they increase the fuel price by 50 fils or Dh1, where is the money going? It may as well go to investing on a railway system between the three emirates – from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi – or invest in a light railway system.” The mode share in terms of passenger trips on public transport in Abu Dhabi is 4 per cent, with 96 per cent of passenger trips in Abu Dhabi made in private cars, according to Mohammed Al Otaiba, acting general manager of the bus office at the Department of Transport.
Mr Ahuja said public transport should be faster. “Authorities should also consider encouraging the use of electric cars and offer incentives,” he said. “Experience has shown that in times of rising fuel costs, we see more rewards in turning to alternative transport modes, avoiding unnecessary trips, car pooling, increased use of bicycles and shifting to public transport,” said Thomas Edelmann, founder of the Road Safety UAE website.
“But the challenge in the UAE might be the availability of public transport and it might make sense to conduct some international benchmarking studies to check the readiness of the UAE’s public transport following an increased demand, due to higher fuel prices.”
Taxi fares in the UAE are likely to increase to offset the petrol price rise. Meeran Raja Ibrahim, general manager of Arabia Taxi, which operates 1,245 taxis, said: “We’ll need to see how much the increase is, and from there seek guidance from Transad. But if the price increase is minimal, I do not think it will be an issue for us.”
The Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars, Transad, last increased fares in May 2012. Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority announced a rise in December.
“Taxi drivers shouldn’t be too worried about the fuel price increase and losing their customers,” Mr Ibrahim said.
“People will continue to use taxis. Nobody wants to stand outside in the unbearable heat and wait for the bus.”
Transad has deferred comment until after the new fuel prices are announced on Tuesday.