Dubai: Around 1,000 vehicles, owned by selected car rental firms, will serve as taxis on Dubai roads during Eid, catering to additional demand.

The move is part of Roads and Transport Authority’s special arrangements for the ‘Eid in Dubai’ celebrations, which also includes around the clock buses and metro services.

The taxis which will operate with the normal fare structure of Dubai taxis, will be easily identifiable through clear stickers and markings, said Furat Ali Al Amri, Director of Franchising and Enforcement Departmet at RTA’s Puplic Transport Agency.

Speaking exclusively to Gulf News, Al Amri said that RTA is making all efforts to make the Eid celebrations smooth and comfortable for all.

“We are trying our best to ease congestion on roads and provide prompt services to commuters around the clock. We have charted out plans to distribute taxis and buses evenly at all the hotspots,” informed Al Amri.

He said: “RTA is ready to press in more vehicles if the demand requires so that people don’t suffer waiting for a long time, we will make sure that there are enough taxis on roads as well as at malls and I’m sure there will be fewer complaints this time.”

Complementing the round-the-clock festivities which began on October 18, metro, buses and water taxis will also operate for extended hours.

On October 18 the Red Line started at 5.30am, while the Green Line started at 5.50am and both lines operated until 4am.

The same schedule will be applicable for both lines on October 25, 27 and 28 as well as November 1 (free transport day).

On October 19, both lines started at 10am and ended at 4am. The same schedule will be applicable on both lines on October 26 (first day of Eid) and on November 2.

Adnan Al Hammadi, CEO of RTA Rail Agency, commenting on the metro service time during the Eid events, said: “The Dubai Metro is set to be highly attractive to the public and visitors as it offers a blend of fun and safe transit experience, and meets the needs of a wide segment of the public, offering them comfortable transit until late.”

He added that more staff will be deployed on the metro stations to respond to various services and information required by the public during Eid events.