The Dubai Metro is considered one of the most efficient, well-connected and technologically equipped systems of public transport in the world. It carries hundreds of thousands of passengers across the city every day. The trains are clean, punctual and air-conditioned, what more could you want? But often it depends on who you sit next to that either makes the trip a success or a failure.
So then, what can you do to make a busy, crowded journey more comfortable, what can you do to turn it from an unpleasant word into a pleasurable one? Here are the easy hacks and Dos and Don’ts directly recommended by Metro users, so that you can make your daily trip on the Dubai Metro more enjoyable not only for yourself but also for others around you.
Here Are 7 Doable Hacks That Will Never Make Dubai Metro Ride Uncomfortable
1. Let Passengers Off Before Boarding
This is fundamental, and in most cases it is ignored. Nisrin Arsiwala, a PR consultant in Dubai, offers the following advice, which she says makes the process all the smoother: standing aside of the doors, allowing passengers to get out first. It is not merely polite, but also accelerates the process of boarding in general.
Hack: Wait near the doors, and not in front of the doors. People will leave first, then you will get in.
2. Claim Seats Gracefully—Or Invent an App
The embarrassing practice of the seat hover is all too real, and particularly at peak hours. Responding to which Zainab A. Jimoh says, there is no respectful way of telling someone whether they are about to vacate their seat. This frustration caused her to invent Out Soon, an app still in development, which allows passengers to voluntarily tell others their exit stop in order to indicate a possible time when a seat is free.
Hack: When you see that a person is obviously in difficulty, you offer them your assistance by making a small movement. And when you are standing or waiting, you don’t even need to hover.
3. Use Headphones—or Stay Silent
Unwanted audio through loud music, voice notes, or video calls are typical sources of irritations. Arnab Ghosh, a resident of Dubai in her entire life is amazed by the fact that people in Japan are quite conscious of disturbing others even on the phone. Commuter Anna Ivanova-Galitsina confirms: “I would like to have a regulation, no headphones, and no voice messages.”
Hack: Use noise-canceling headphones or earbuds and in case you have to make a call, speak quietly and briefly.
4. Don’t Force Your Way Into Full Cabins
Metro employees are usually present to control the rush but still, people rush in-even when the cabin is full. Sameeta Rajpal points out, sometimes it is so crowded so you could hardly breathe. Another solution offered by another commuter, Sukayna Kazmi, is a genius one: color-coded areas on the platform (green = no one there, red = packed). It would influence the commuter behavior on a real-time basis.
Hack: If your cabin has no availability, you should skip that train. The second one typically comes within less than 5 minutes and you will have a much smoother ride.
5. Give Up Your Seat When Needed
In the rush, one is easily tempted to forget but priority seats have been clearly labeled to allow elderly people, pregnant women, and People of Determination. Rajpal complains, I have witnessed young and healthy people disregard standing elderly passengers. Being courteous and giving your seat is a simple demonstration of what type of city everyone aspires to live in.
Hack: Not sure? It is always better to ask a person, whether he/she would like to sit than leave the person in silence.
Also Read: 11 High Demand Jobs in Dubai by 2030: Here are Future Careers to Watch
6. Pack Light and Stay Aware
Big bags, huge shopping bags and obstruction of doorways are all frowned upon, but are still a common sight. According to one user, one would see the frequency with which customers carry heavy bags during the rush hour. The other, named those who do block exits, which delay people.
Hack: When seated keep the bags in your lap or between legs. Watch out around exits-and do not obstruct people off.
7. Take a Page from Global Etiquette
Japan has its occupied trains where you will never hear a sounding train and Almaty will have a lesson in offering seats instinctively all over the world. Ghosh says it is about mindful things that involve spaces that are shared. The Metro is not your living room, The Metro is a communal ride.”
Hack: In case of uncertainty, do the good thing. Your other passengers will like it: even unwilling to mention a word.
Final Thoughts
Dubai Metro is an international-quality system and with an extra dose of shared etiquette, the trip can be as sophisticated too. It is not really about big stuffs. It is a matter of small things: make way, give seat, you know, turn down volume. So, the next time you tap Nol Card, keep in mind that a better Metro ride begins with you.