Cost Comparison: Public Transport vs Owning a Car in the UAE

When it comes to transportation in the UAE, travellers have to choose between public transportation or private vehicles. Where public transportation offers affordable travelling, private cars help maintain lifestyle and comfort. However, with the introduction of new Salik gates, increasing traffic congestion and high repair costs, many are reassessing their commuting habits. Amidst these factors, financial considerations play a major role when it comes to choosing between public transport and private cars. 

We have elaborated on the cost of public transport vs owning a car in the UAE that can help you make an informed decision. 

Cost Comparison of Public Transport vs Owning a Car in the UAE

Financial considerations play a major role when choosing between private cars or using public transport in the UAE for daily commute. Following is the complete cost comparison of using public transport vs owning a car in the UAE. 

Monthly Travel Expense

The monthly travel expenses of public transport significantly differ from owning a car. To clarify it further, consider an example of a person travelling from International City to Dubai Design District for five days a week. 

In case of using public transport, a 3 zone nol Card costing AED 350 for 30 days will be required. If the person needs a bus ride from the metro station, it will be counted as a single journey, if checked in within 30 minutes. 

For private cars, we have considered an example of a vehicle offering a fuel efficiency of 12km/litre. The distance between International City and Dubai Design District is almost 20 km, costing around AED 3.45/day and AED 103 for 30 days. 

A women comfortablly travelling through metro
Travelling by public transportation is usually affordable in comparison to private cars

Traffic Jams

The fuel consumption of a vehicle increases when stuck in traffic jams. Modern vehicles usually consume 1 litre/hour when idling. Moreover, stop-and-go can increase fuel consumption by 10 to 40% almost. Combining these numbers, the monthly travel cost can increase from AED 103 to AED 200/month. 

In comparison, the travel cost of public transportation remains the same, regardless of traffic. In fact, when travelling from Dubai Metro or tram, the hassle of traffic jams is excluded. 

Toll Gates

Salik Dubai or DARB Abu Dhabi are an electronic toll gate system that charges vehicles when using major routes. For instance, the charges of Salik for private cars are AED 4 to AED 6 per crossing. Although the amount is not significant, it can add up to monthly travel costs. Moreover, the addition of 2 new gates almost makes it impossible to avoid Salik in Dubai, adding a financial strain on drivers. 

Regular Maintenance

People driving their own cars in the UAE have the additional expense of maintaining their vehicles regularly. New cars are under warranty and have lower maintenance costs, but if you opt for a used car for sale in the UAE, the maintenance cost is high. Changing engine oil, brake oil, coolants and repairing smaller auto parts can cost around AED 1000 to AED 1500/month. Whereas, people using public transportation in the Emirates are exempted from such expenses. 

Car owner getting it repaired by a professional mechanic
Driving a private car requires regular maintenance to ensure smooth functioning

FAQs

How much will it cost in Dubai to travel by tram? 

To travel from the Dubai tram, nol Card is required, costing AED 4 for 1 zone, AED 6 for 2 zones and AED 8.50 for more than 2 zones. 

How Can I travel from Dubai to Sharjah daily? 

You can opt for bus services offered by both RTA and SRTA. 

Is it better to travel by public transport or rent a car in Dubai?

Renting a car and public transport both come with their own pros and cons. Here is a detailed comparison between renting a car vs using public transport in Dubai that can help you make an informed decision. 

This was the complete cost of public transport vs owning a car in the UAE. Where private cars offer comfort and convenience to travellers, public transport is affordable. However, the affordability of public transport comes with a cost. It is necessary to consider all these factors when choosing your preferred mode of commute. 

Stay tuned to dubizzle’s auto blog for more information on monthly travel expenses in the UAE. 

Disclaimer: Please remember that the numbers mentioned above are exemplary and it may or may not represent the actual market prices. 



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