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Where there’s a will

The Dubai Municipality’s initiative Wednesday to observe an annual “Car-Free Day” — when people were urged to use public transport to lessen the number of private cars on the streets and cut down on emissions — is a laudable drive that has found an answering chord in the public heart.

Started five years ago, the green initiative that this time saw two ministers and several senior state officials going to work by the metro is a case of leading by example and the gesture was reciprocated by individuals, corporate houses and academic institutes with enthusiasm, According to initial estimates, 9,000 people left their cars at home, opting for public transport intead. As a result, the level of carbon dioxide emission is expected to have been reduced by at least 20 tons that day.

Thanks to its growing economy, the UAE is one of the prime destinations for auto manufacturers. According to Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) figures, the rate of private car ownership in Dubai is high — nearly 541 cars for every 1,000 people. However, the use of these cars, going by the number of passengers, is very low, often as low as 1.3 people per car. By 2020 Dubai’s population is expected to shoot up by 296 percent. It would mean over 1.5 million cars plying on Dubai’s roads. The relentless increase in the number of vehicles has contributed to pollution, traffic snarls, parking woes and state expenses related to traffic. The RTA has been encouraging Sharekni — the use of carpools — which, in addition to cutting down pollution and congestion, also helps save money and boosts social connections. Dubai has one of the best public transport systems in Asia. It is also one of the most secure cities in the world, which makes its public transport a pleasure to avail of. The Car-Free Day renews interest in using public transport and its objective will be fulfilled additionally if the novelty and the pleasure people experience by using public transport on that day motivate at least some of them to decide to do so oftener.