71% Of Survey Respondents Use Public Transport In The UAE

According to a Kearney study, 71% of UAE based survey respondents use the metro and tram network at least once a month, with 22%of those using it two to three times a week. Almost half of the survey respondents (48%) use their cars to commute every day, with Dubai residents relying on private cars the least (44%), reflective of the emirate’s strong and growing public transportation network.

This research was conducted as part of a series of independent surveys by Kearney, a leading global management consultancy that explores trends in key sectors that contribute towards and support the region’s economic development. Commenting on the study, Helmut Scholze, Partner, Transportation, Mobility and Logistics at Kearney Middle East said: “Private cars are the predominant transport mode in most global cities, which is also true for the Middle East region given the low fuel prices, climate conditions, and city layouts among other factors. However, with increased urbanization, it is key to understand how to accelerate the shift from the current privately-owned-car-heavy model of transport to one that is reliant on an efficient public transport backbone.”

Those surveyed use their car mainly to commute to work (53%), for shopping needs (50%), long distance trips/vacations (46%), leisure (45%) and to places inaccessible by public transport such as other emirates (41%). When questioned onthe key measures that would motivate respondents to increase the use of public transport, 48% highlighted an improved first/last mile connectivity as the key factor. This includes access to other modes of transport from the metro, tramor bus to their final destination, such as demand-reponsive shuttles, micro-mobility solutions and car sharing offerings.

Other factors include an increased frequency (44%) and speed (37%) of buses, a wider metro and tram network (39%) with faster vehicle speed (32%), increased in-community connectivity (34%) and integrated digital access to all services (34%).

“The ecosystem of urban mobility is changing rapidly and public transport agencies are increasingly acting as mobility orchestrators. Urbanization and fundamental transformations in the mobility sector – including a push towards more sustainable transport methods for the reduction of emissions, the rise of new ways of consuming mobility, and new modes of transport– only emphasize the important role that public transport will play in cities, making it a backbone for future mobility ecosystems,” concluded Scholze.