ABU DHABI // Bus commuters say the new fare card system is convenient but it is going to take time to solve the confusion surrounding how it works.
In Abu Dhabi’s main bus terminal on Muroor Road, commuters lined up to register at Xerox-built machines for the now-mandatory card, called Hafilat, which means buses in Arabic.
Flanking the machines were staff guiding commuters on how to print out the new, rechargeable cards but the process of recharging was one of the main queries people had with the system.
“This is a problem for now, then, when we get used to the system, we will learn,” said Filipino Alvin Bulfa, “but the real problem is when I’ll need to recharge – I have no idea where I can do that.”
The Department of Transport has printed a pamphlet to help commuters make the transition. It states that recharge machines will be found at main bus stations, shopping malls, hospitals, some bus stops and other locations.
“I have not seen any, and I don’t know. For me, I’ll have to come to the main bus terminal.
“Now let’s say I’m in Khalidiyah and my card runs out, does that mean I’ll have to take a taxi to Muroor so I can just use the bus?” asked Mr Bulfa.
Arum Raghavan, an optometrist from India, said he thinks once teething problems are ironed out, the system will be a big improvement.
“I think it will become perfect,” said Mr Raghavan. “It’s better as I don’t always have change and this way I don’t have to worry about whether I have coins or not, I just use the card and top it up at one of the many locations.”
However, Mr Bulfa said he was not thrilled with the extra step of recharging when before he could just pay directly on the bus. Coin payment is no longer accepted on buses.
“It’s a hassle. Before, all I had to do was put a few dirhams in and I’m done, it was my way of getting rid of change. , just on the go, nNow it’s another step on my way to use the bus,” Mr Bulfa said.
He said that this could have been solved had they given the public better information on the change.
“The problem is now from the communication and informing the public,” said the national from the Philippines, “the machine is hard to use for now, that will get better but they should have a guidance chard.”
Mr Raghavan, an everyday bus user, added: “It’s good, of course, it’s smart and I worked in Dubai, so it’s very similar [to the system there]. The only thing is the unlimited card needs to include regional areas, not just intercity.”
For Dh80, plus a one-off printing fee of Dh10, passengers get an unlimited monthly Hafilat card but that only includes use on Abu Dhabi island, excluding off-island areas.
For those who opt-out of a monthly pass, there is a flat rate of Dh2 to get a bus anywhere on-island and then those travelling off-island will pay a further Dh0.05 (5 fils) per kilometre. There is a Dh5 fee for a temporary card that lasts for two weeks.
This means a round-trip to Delma Mall in Mussaffah, for instance, from the main bus station will cost about Dh7, excluding the Dh5 card fee.
The Dh2 flat rate for on-island travel has not changed but previously a bus to the suburbs cost a flat rate of Dh4.
So a passenger not using a monthly pass and travelling from Mussaffah to The National office in Il Ittihad five days a week, for example, would be charged about Dh140 each month.
Mr Raghavan sometimes travels to Mussaffah and said that paying a separate fee for that will prove to be an annoyance.
“In the city, you can pay Dh80 a month then you can go anywhere but I can’t go to Mussaffah with that,” he said.
“They have to have a regional card, even if I have to pay Dh150 to go anywhere in Abu Dhabi by bus, I don’t mind.”
The Keralan added that the Hafilat marketing team should have got the information out to the public sooner, for the project could have done a better job getting the message and information to the public instead of rolling out the project and people having to learn on-the-go.
However, he does believe that once teething problems are ironed out, the system will be convenient.
For some, too many options are leading to confusion; in addition to the temporary and monthly cards, there are discounted cards for students, the elderly and those with special needs. For others, however, the confusion began at the system, which although relatively straightforward, quickly becomes confusing when choosing which card type to get, said
Emily Maparong, a receptionist in Al Raha, said: “They have too many cards, too many options — I want something that is easy to understand and use.”
The Filipina said that she worries that she will make a mistake at the machine and have to buy another card to fix her error.
“This card [the monthly option] lasts for five years but hopefully I bought the right card,” she said laughing. “For now, it is difficult, but I think it will be a good change.”
More information on the card and its functionality can be found by logging on to dot.abudhabi.ae and clicking on the Hafilat logo, or by visiting the capital’s main bus station.
nalwasmi@thenational.ae