Dubai: Public transport services for the Eid Al Adha holidays beginning from Friday have been increased, while the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has made special arrangements for traffic around areas popular with holidaymakers.
A senior RTA official told Gulf News that a team dedicated for annual events, in association with Dubai Police, has mapped out a comprehensive plan for traffic movement and mass transit services to ensure ease and safety for all road users.
Just as over the last few years, the area around Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa is central to RTA plans due to its popularity with residents as well as tourists.
“The RTA has prepared the necessary operational plans to serve people during the Eid Al Adha holiday, which usually witnesses traffic jams every year. The plan includes Burj Khalifa, where more than 55 directional signs will be installed to direct traffic to and from the Burj Khalifa area in more than one direction,” said Maitha Bin Udai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, who is also head of the traffic management teams for annual events.
With additional entries and exits opened from the area recently leading to Oud Metha Road through Al Asayel Street, Maitha expects the traffic situation to improve.
“We have multiple entries and exits from the Downtown Dubai area now, which includes Al Asayel Street, Al Saada Street, Zabeel bridges as well as direct access to Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road,” added Maitha.
Interestingly, the traffic in the area is set to be controlled through intelligent traffic sign systems as well as variable traffic lights that will operate smartly depending on the flow of traffic from different directions.
The intelligent signs will also inform motorists on the availability of parking spaces at The Dubai Mall.
“We will monitor the situation very closely and in case there is shortage of parking space at Dubai Mall all entrances leading to the mall will be closed in association with Dubai Police and mall administration, and traffic will be directed to parking areas at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC),” she said.
A free shuttle service will be available from the DWTC parking area to Dubai Mall.
In a bid to encourage people to use public transport rather than private vehicles, RTA will increase frequency of bus and Metro services across the city, particularly to crowded areas.
“Ten buses are being deployed to provide free rides to the public on the route from Dubai Mall to the Dubai World Trade Centre in order to make up for any potential shortage of taxis in vital areas of the emirate. The service will be in operation from 1pm up to the end of events that are spread across the Eid holidays. The Dubai Events Management Team, along with traffic organisers and controllers, will be at sites and venues of major events,” said Adel Shakeri, Director of Transportation Systems at the Public Transport Agency.
Additional taxis and limousines will be in operation in anticipation of huge demand, besides the 9,000 taxis that operate regularly in Dubai.
“Every year we see a huge demand for taxis during the Eid holidays and other annual events, so this year we have increased our capacity and established a link with the Booking and Despatch Centre to receive booking requests round-the-clock in order to ensure the delivery of high-class services,” added Shakeri.
