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Metro Musings: A man without a car

Public transport is a convenient and affordable option for many people, but it can be hard to adjust to when you’re so used to driving, finds Mohamad Kadry

When you’ve spent the better part of your adult life enjoying the freedom that comes attached to being a licensed driver with a car, getting used to public transportation again can be a shock to the system.

I’ve never had an issue with using buses and trains in cities across the world. They have been the host to countless adventures and I’m a better person for all those experiences that might not have unfolded had I been behind the wheel of my own vehicle or inside a taxi. But I can’t help but hold on to the notion that life is not the same without complete freedom of movement.

Dubai is a small town and getting around can be a relatively smooth journey thanks to the sophisticated network already in place or under construction. While I understand the appeal of public transport for all those who don’t own a car or simply choose not to, leaving behind the comfort of the driver’s seat is something I could never imagine imposing on myself on a permanent basis.

So while my car sits idle in the repair shop over the next few weeks, I’ll be utilising the Metro to get around town. But let’s be clear: I don’t romanticise the prospect.

Getting to and from the office is simple enough, but planning a trip to the grocery becomes complicated with the burden of figuring out what’s worth hauling around. Do I really need that six-pack container of bottled water? Not so much, apparently.

Heading to my barbershop in the Marina, something I once looked forward to, suddenly has become a game of avoiding the sun. Dubai’s summer heat is unforgiving and suddenly I’m content to just let my beard grow. How very hipster of me, I convince myself.

Besides these basic daily inconveniences, there’s also the matter of exploration. I know people who have lived in the UAE for more than a decade without so much as stepping outside the lines that public transportation provides. It’s hard to connect to the lifeline of this country’s neighbourhoods and landscape unless you’re behind the wheel, and although my situation is temporary, I still find the prospect hard to swallow.

I respect the many reasons why people prefer public transport; cars are expensive and often not worth the trouble of maintaining. But no matter what financial situation I might find myself in in the future, I like to believe that I’ll always find a way to be in control of my direction. Driving is not just a convenience in my life, it’s a passion.

As I continue to hop on and off buses and trains - even the occasional bike ride for good measure – I’ll do so appreciating the journey that many people make every day for most of their lives here. But I’m almost certain that I’ll be appreciating the return of my car much more.

kadry@khaleejtimes.com