UAE- 19.2m used Sharjah buses and taxis in three months

4/21/2016 3:24:49 AM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) A significant 11 per cent rise in the use of public transport has been recorded in Sharjah in the first quarter of the year as compared to the same period last year.

Official figures show that up to 19.25million passengers have used the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) buses and taxis from January 1 to March 31 this year.

"The RTA Sharjah bus and taxi fleets have transported up to 213000 passengers on a daily basis in the first quarter of the year" said Abdulaziz Al Jarwan Director of SRTA for Transport Affairs.

"This is actually 11 per cent spike in comparison to the same quarter in 2015."

The four franchise companies operating in the emirate Sharjah Union Citi and Emirates Cab have managed 857000 trips in the first quarter of the year he added.

"Up to 16.12 million depended on taxi service over the first three months."

However most of the taxi service were recorded in January during which 2.7million trips or around 87503 daily trips were run Al Jarwan said.

"This means around 175000 daily passengers" he added.

Meanwhile Sharjah public bus recorded 1.58million passengers which amount to 83642000 trips in the first quarter of the year.

"However most bus passengers were registered in March which saw 563283 passengers or 18170 daily commuters; nine per cent rise as compared to the same period last year."

The significant rise has been mainly attributed to the amended tariff and reduced frequency time Al Jarwan said.

"Bus route (88) starting from Rolla square and ending at Sajaa has also been supported with bigger coaches and extra stops."

As for intercity buses they have run 64765 trips in the first three months of the year or 17220 daily trips; 5000 trips more compared to the previous year.

"Up to 1.5million passengers have used intercity bus service in the first quarter of the year; 57424 more passengers as compared to the same period last year."

The rise in number of passengers is attributed to addition of more buses which now stands at 130 buses in total.

"Now 14 intercity buses are being operated by SRTA in the country" he said adding that 17 more intercity buses will be added in the last quarter of the year.

Ahmed Shaaban Originally from Egypt I have been in Dubai since December 2005. Before coming here I worked as an English language instructor chief En/Ar translator proofreader reporter in Egypt and Qatar. I have also worked as a reporter correspondent and simultaneous translator with two satellite channels in Dubai. I have a masters degree in media Cairo University 2014 a bachelor degree in English language and translation Ain Shams University Cairo 1996 and three post-graduate diplomas in English language and Instruction. With over 19 years of experience in translation interpretation EFL instruction and reporting. I am interested in technology aviation politics as well as community parliament and defence issues. I enjoy reading writing exercising and surfing the web.

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