Dubai: More than 130 buses will be deployed to transport people from various locations to Downtown Dubai, which will once again be the epicentre of the city’s New Year celebrations, on New Year’s Eve.
As has been the custom in the last four years, since the inauguration of Burj Khalifa, thousands of residents and visitors are expected to flock around the iconic tower and the Dubai Mall on the evening of December 31, joining the fanfare and celebrations, culminating in the much anticipated spectacle of fireworks.
To ensure the smooth movement of people and to limit congestion on roads leading to Dubai Mall, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has taken multiple steps, including the allotment of 11,000 additional parking spaces, shuttle bus services from five different parking lots to Dubai Mall as well as 24-hour metro services and additional taxis.
“We will rely on buses as a prime transit means upon the completion of the New Year’s celebrations at Burj Khalifa-Dubai Mall where 130 buses will be deployed, including 100 articulated buses. These buses will provide free rides for the public on the route from Burj Khalifa–Dubai Mall station to the Dubai World Trade Centre, and other allotted parking lots,” said Adel Shakri, Director of Public Transport Systems and Head of the RTA’s Events Management Team.
The buses will be provided from The World Trade Centre parking lot which will have 1,500 slots, Meydan with 8,000 slots and Al Jafliyah near the Dubai naturalisation office with 500 parking slots.
More than 1,000 parking slots will also be provided at Zabeel Park and at the Al Wasl Sports Club.
The RTA has urged people to use public transport, especially Dubai Metro, to avoid getting stuck on road.
“The traffic leading to Dubai Mall will be diverted once the parking inside is packed. There will sign boards before the entries to the area directing to alternate parking lots,” said Maitha Bin Udai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency.
RTA’s taxis dispatch will offer dedicated services for the New Year revellers and the entire fleet of around 9,000 taxis will deployed for the services.
