In recent months, traffic congestion between Dubai and Sharjah has become a significant hurdle for thousands of commuters, with many individuals adapting their schedules to cope with the gridlock. According to Federal National Council (FNC) member Adnan Al Hammadi, those traveling between the two emirates spend a staggering 460 hours a year in traffic, which amounts to around 60 working days.
In response to these concerns, Suhail Al Mazrouei, the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, has committed to conducting an extensive study alongside local authorities to develop effective solutions. As residents struggle to find ways to avoid the lengthy delays, Khaleej Times reached out to various individuals to unveil their personal strategies for managing traffic congestion.
Reem Al Qaidhi, an advertising professional residing in Al Noaf, encapsulates the daily challenges faced by commuters. She leaves home at 6:30 AM to reach her office in Media City by 8 AM, but her return home tells a different tale. “Sometimes, it takes me more than two hours to get home. I always check Google Maps to find the least congested route. If the roads are packed, I stop by a mosque to pray Asr before continuing my drive.”
With traffic intensifying, Reem has resorted to waiting out congestion in a mosque. “There have been days when I just sit in the mosque, waiting for the traffic to ease. I lose so much time daily,” she lamented.
Zaheer Hussain, an Indian expatriate living in Muhaisinah, has also adjusted his routine to avoid peak traffic. He shares, “I log out at 6 PM, but I don’t even think about leaving then. I go to a nearby mosque for Maghrib prayers, then hit the gym for an hour. When I leave around 9 PM, the roads are much clearer, and I get home in about an hour.” Despite finding ways around the traffic, Hussain finds the situation to be frustrating, stating, “I would rather be home earlier, but this is the only way to avoid sitting in my car for two hours.”
Noura Al Mandous, who leaves her home in Ras Al Khaimah at 5:30 AM, reaches work around 8 AM. However, she frequently encounters severe congestion during Ramadan. “I often get home around 6 PM, completely exhausted,” she explained. Noura described the unpredictability of traffic as draining, noting, “Some days, there’s no clear reason for the congestion, yet you still find yourself stuck for hours. It’s draining, both mentally and physically.”
Similarly, Shamsa Darwish recounts her struggles with traffic delays. Living in Al Awir near the Sharjah border, she often arrives home by 4 PM during Ramadan. “By the time I break my fast, I’m too tired to do anything else,” she shared. Beyond Ramadan, Shamsa feels that the traffic has encroached upon her personal life, asserting, “I hardly get quality time with my family. It affects my mental wellbeing, and there’s no real solution in sight.”
As the conversations surrounding traffic issues continue, FNC member Al Hammadi emphasized the urgency for prompt solutions. “This is a constant and painful issue for all road users, and we need effective solutions to this crisis,” he stated, pushing for better management of the overwhelming number of cars entering Dubai each day.
While proposals for new policies are on the table, Suhail Al Mazrouei has stated that the ministry needs to introduce updated rules regarding vehicle ownership and explore different transportation modes to alleviate congestion. Currently, the number of vehicles on the road has dramatically surged to over 8%, which starkly exceeds the global rate of 2%, a level the minister labeled as abnormal.
Mustafa Aldah, the founder of MA Traffic Consulting, remarked on the significance of addressing these challenges. He noted, “This is a sign of good things to come,” citing the potential for new policies and public transport improvements. Yet, he also recognized the difficulty in harmonizing traffic patterns between Dubai and Sharjah, suggesting a possible limitation on the accessibility of vehicles in order to alleviate congestion.
Moreover, Thomas Edelmann, Founder and Managing Director of RoadSafetyUAE, proposed new regulations could prove beneficial. He suggested enforcing a minimum number of passengers per vehicle during rush hour to reduce congestion on major roads. Additionally, he noted that enhancing mass transportation and mandating the use of school buses could reduce the number of cars on the roads.
The 2020 survey revealed that an overwhelming 83% of UAE residents depend on cars for their daily commutes, with only 13% opting for public transport. Strikingly, 67% of individuals used their vehicles to travel to and from work, a trend that highlights the increased need for efficiency in transportation alternatives.
In conclusion, as commuters continue to brave the lengthy traffic jams between Dubai and Sharjah, the urgency of implementing viable solutions has never been clearer. The collective voices from the community echo a common call for systemic change to create a more manageable commuting experience in the UAE.
