by Andre Sanchez

Many who know little about Dubai think of a desert country where the major mode of transport is the camel.  In fact, in Arab countries, although the camel is the packhorse of the desert, the horse was the preferred mode of personal transport, and in many areas still is.  After all, weren’t the Godolphin Arabian, the Darley Arabian and the Byerly Turk the three ‘foundation’ stallions from whose genes all thoroughbred racing horses are descended?  So much for camels! 

Dubai transport is up there with the rest in the world, as you will experience from the moment you use the air-conditioned bus service from the airport to your hotel.  The late Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum was responsible for the construction of the Dubai International Airport that opened up Dubai to visitors other than sea traders and pirates, and invaders from the west.  Now there are over eighty airlines operating from it and it is one of the world’s busiest airports. 

Transport in Dubai has been facilitated by the construction of an infrastructure of modern roads and highways, thanks once again to the ambition and foresight of Sheikh Maktoum.  Dubai City itself is well served by a network of modern roads, as would be expected of a world standard cosmopolitan capital city, and the rest of the country has a hub of roads leading to the capital.  There is also a multi-lane highway providing communication between Dubai City and Abu Dhabi to the south.  These two Emirates have long had a good relationship, and the two sheikhs were those responsible for setting up the influential United Arab Emirates from a number of disconnected small states called the Trucial States.  

The amazing thing about this is that Dubai itself is not so dependent on oil as its neighbors, having only small and rapidly diminishing oil reserves.  Dubai has built its economy and future upon trade and commerce, with which politics have never been allowed to interfere. Dubai’s free trade and commercial districts are the envy of the world, and this country has a lot to teach even the fully developed countries of the west. 

Public transport is excellent in Dubai City itself, with a very good bus service run by the Dubai Municipality that is equal to anything found in New York or London.  You are never less than a few minutes from any bus stop and there are also eight main bus stations within the city, that at the Gold Souk being the primary station.  Fares are inexpensive and the bus service is an extremely comfortable and convenient means of travelling around the city, whether you are a tourist, commuter or simply want to get from the Gold Souk to the golf course! 

The rail system will eventually be as advanced as you should expect of a world-class cosmopolitan city, though is still under construction.  However, once completed, it will be one of the most advanced metropolitan rail systems in the world.  As with their hotels and residential amenities, Dubai does not accept just the ‘average’.  

Cabs, or taxis, are more expensive than buses, as they are in every city in the world, but they are very convenient and in plentiful supply.  The Dubai metered taxis are not ‘yellow’ or ‘black’ but cream colored, and the drivers are uniformed. You can flag the cream cabs down in street, but there are also non-metered cabs with which you negotiate a fare. You need to know a bit about taxi prices before you do that or you could pay over the odds.  

If you want to travel to an adjoining emirate by taxi, you can get a long distance cab on a shared basis.  That means that the price is reasonable cheap as long as you have five sharing.  Any less and you have to share the stated price between the number in the cab. If you are alone than it can be very expensive.  However, if you have four others then it is pretty reasonable. 

In January, 2007, women were licensed to drive taxis which is an ideal solution for women traveling alone, and they can be found at most shopping centers, or can be booked in advance.  They are identifiable by their pink roofs and interiors. Also available are car and motor cycle rentals for those who feel that they know the city enough to do it themselves, though this is not recommended unless you really know the road layout of the city.  That is true of any city, of course.  

You can also get ‘abras’, or water taxis, which transport you round The Creek, and which are either motorized or rowed.  Air conditioned water buses are also available from July, 2007, and are perfect for the westerner who cannot stand the heat.  They will be catamarans with glass walls, offering a marvellous view of the city from the Creek.  

Finally, and just for the tourist, are the city tour open topped buses that provide you with a wonderful tour of city and that can be booked online prior to leaving your home country for your vacation.  A service that epitomizes this country’s service to its visitors and the advanced state of its transportation systems.  

Transport in Dubai was originally published at http://www.globallifenow.com