Public transport is still lagging behind demand

With regard to your news story, UAE fuel price hike will encourage public transport use, say experts (July 22), I would question whether this will work before the public transport is made more functional.

This is especially so for the many people who commute from the Northern Emirates. You can't expect people to be productive when they are pushed by price squeezes to use underdeveloped public transport. But if you build a fast and efficient mass transit system, we will use it. Muzammil Sk, Ajman

There are many ways in which public transport can be made more efficient. In Abu Dhabi, for example, most people who want to take the bus to Dubai have to go to the bus station in Al Wahda and then the bus goes past their homes.

One quick fix that will require no new infrastructure is to run a bus from Yas Mall to Dubai.

Long term solutions that will need to be started now include train services to Dubai and Sharjah, as well as light rail and a metro system in Abu Dhabi. Mikey Bauer, Abu Dhabi

I strongly suggest the government implements a phased strategy where increasing the price of fuel coincides with developing feasible alternatives.

For example, in some economies fuel subsidies were removed when CNG was implemented as an alternative fuel.

Increasing fuel prices will directly affect inflation and put pressure on prices and the cost of living. The government must manage this carefully to avoid overheating the economy and lowering the demand for goods and services.

Electric powered vehicles can be a good alternative but that requires investing in infrastructure such as charging stations. Randall Mohammed, Dubai

My concern is that there are not enough public transport options between Abu Dhabi and Dubai .

My income hasn't increased in two years. I think they should have improved public transport capacity before doing this. Anna Mayer Rothschild, Dubai