Dubai, Oct 9 (Emirates 24x7): Dubai is witnessing a surge in pivate vehicles and according to latest available statistics the emirate is likely to see an increase of 100,000 vehicles by the year-end, which will roughly make one vehicle per two people.

This is despite the growing popularity of public transport, particularly the Metro. The numbers just prove that majority of residents continue to prefer driving.

Figures procured by 'Emirates24|7' show the Licensing Agency in Dubai issued 179,624 driving licences last year, of which as many as 104,000 were new applications while the remaining were renewals.

Similar demand for licences can be seen as around 20 per cent increase in new car registrations in the first half of this year signifies that the roads would continue to be busy.

Adding to the 1,031,961 vehicles that plied on Dubai roads last year, with almost a 100,000 increase from the previous year, 26,015 more hit the roads in the Q1 of this year and by the end of second quarter another 20,000 hit the roads.

Going by the trend the emirate might see an increase of 100,000 vehicles by the end of this year, which will roughly make one vehicle per two people.

Given the fact that 63 per cent of these vehicles are personally owned and the remaining commercial vehicles, cars seem still by far the most preferred mode of transport.

This, despite the fact that public transport has grown exponentially over the last two years.

However, Licensing Agency CEO Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan believes the increase in number of licences issued is not due to popularity of cars, but for the improvement in pass rate.

“We are gradually revamping the system, the quality of training has improved and as a result the pass rate has increased from a mere 16 per cent two years ago to close to 30 per cent now, which reflects in the overall number of the licences issued annually,” said Bahrozyan, adding that things would further improve once the new licensing curriculum comes in place later this year.

Though car sales have slowed down in the last two months from the average of the first quarter, following the implementation of new stricter loan regime, the market is still positive about the future.