Dubai Metro peak-time change: Extra space... for women, children

Effective September 1, 2013 compartment space for women and children on Dubai Metro will be increased to half a compartment.

The additional space will only be designated to this group of commuters during peak hours - between 7-9am and 5-8pm from Sunday to Thursday.

Half a compartment offers space for 622 commuters.

Currently the designated area for women and children on Dubai Metro entails one compartment.

"Based on customer feedback from female Metro commuters there was a need for more space to be comfortable especially during peak hours," said Ramadan Abdullah, Director of Rail Agency at The Road and Transport Authority (RTA).

"A lot of Dubai Metro's commuters are women. We are always listening to our customers' feedback and responding to that."

"I think it is a good move," said Christia Casabuena, a 22-year old Filipina who travels by Metro multiple times per day.

"There are a lot of working women in Dubai. It is more comfortable to have more space for women only, especially in the morning and afternoon."

Leila from Canada, a regular visitor to Dubai, said, "Now it is summer and the Metro gets less crowded, but there are times that it gets really crowded."

However, Leila does not mind sharing the compartment with men.

Neither does Fatima Darashi, an Iranian resident in Dubai. "I do not always use the women and children compartment, but it is good to have more space," she said.

When the peak-hour period comes to an end the compartment half will be available for all commuters again, a concept that is seen in other countries too, said Abdullah.

Asked if Metro users will find this easy to understand, he explained: "Our Metro staff will be there to educate the public about the rules, and we will be lenient handing out fines to violators in the beginning.

"People educate each other as well. Around 95 per cent of our customers are frequent users; these people will get used to the new rules."

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