RTA reveals Eid traffic plans and timings in Dubai

Dubai: A comprehensive plan to manage traffic during the Eid rush has been prepared by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The series of steps include free bus rides, deploying more taxis, extending Dubai Metro hours, monitoring traffic signals for optimum traffic flow and other measures.

Most of the arrangements focus on the Burj Khalifa district that includes The Dubai Mall, which draws enormous crowds during Eid holidays.

Maitha Obaid Bin Udai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, said the Eid break always sees traffic congestion in that area but the RTA has worked out plans to serve riders.

Maitha is also the head of the team responsible for the management of traffic movement and the handling of operational plans during annual events.

She said the plan, which encompasses the Burj Khalifa district, includes installing 20 directional signs to guide traffic to internal roads of Business Bay up to Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road to ease the pressure on Financial Centre Road.

Temporary signs have also been put in place to direct road users to Zabeel bridges leading to Burj Khalifa from Shaikh Rashid Street.

Adel Shakri, Director, Planning and Business Development, RTA, added: “Ten public buses have been deployed to offer free commuting to the public from the Dubai Mall to the Dubai World Trade Centre to make up for the anticipated high occupancy of taxis…”

“Buses will provide services to the public starting from 1pm up to the end of events during the Eid days. A team of traffic controllers will be at site to directly cope with events, and pick-up points have been fixed for buses dedicated to lifting tourists along the Financial Centre Road.”

Shakri also urged the public to use the new smart app Sharekni enabling individuals to car pool to slash the number of vehicles on the road.

He added: “We have coordinated with the taxi franchise companies in the emirate to ensure the operational efficiency of taxis such that the number of taxicabs operated during the Eid holiday is not less than 95 per cent of the taxi fleet — 9,341 vehicles.”

The Dubai Taxi Corporation has set up an emergency team for Eid to serve the needs of all customers. Plans include supporting Dubai Airports, Dubai Mall, Metro stations and different events in the emirate in coordination with the customer service section at the agency and other entities.