Smooth rides ensured during Eid holidays in UAE

Authorities here have made a comprehensive plan for smooth traffic movement during the Eid holidays, especially around Burj Khalifa district and the Downtown area. Ten buses will offer free transit from the Dubai Mall - the most popular hangout for Eid celebrations for people from all walks of life - to the Dubai World Trade Centre starting from 1pm on the first day of Eid till the end of the holidays.

Additionally, limo companies will be allowed to give ride to people from crowded malls.

Residents were also urged to use the new car pooling system to avoid traffic congestion.

Explaining the action plan taken by Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Maitha bin Udai, CEO of RTA Traffic and Roads Agency and head of the team responsible for the management of traffic movement during major events said: "The plan, which encompasses Burj Khalifa district, included installing 20 directional signs to guide traffic to internal roads of the Business Bay up to the Sheikh Zayed Road, and Al Khail Road to ease the pressure on the Financial Centre Road."

She explained that temporary signs have been put in place to direct road users to Zabeel bridges leading to Burj Khalifa from Sheikh Rashid Street. "To ensure smooth traffic flow during peak hours, the light signals on the Financial Centre Road will be monitored and controlled to achieve optimal traffic flow," she added.

"A programme is currently under way involving preventive maintenance and cleaning of areas around mosques, bridges and tunnels.

Particular attention is given to washing main tunnels and metal rail of bridges, removing dust and solid deposits on pavements ... and cleaning directional signage at main roads of the emirate," said Maitha. She elaborated that a technical team comprising engineers and inspectors of the Roads Maintenance Department has coordinated with the Traffic and Roads Departments to survey areas where Eid prayers will be held to carry out emergency repair works before Eid.

Adel Shakri, director of Planning and Business Development and head of the public transport team, said: "Ten public buses have been deployed to offer free commuting to the public from the Dubai Mall to the Dubai World Trade Centre to meet the anticipated high occupancy of taxis in vital areas of the emirate during Eid Al Fitr holiday."

A team of traffic controllers will be deployed, pick-up points have been fixed for buses dedicated to picking up tourists along the Financial Centre Road."

Share vehicles

Shakri urged the public to use the smart app "Sharekni" which has just been launched, enabling individuals to share vehicles in travelling around the city in a bid to slash the number of vehicles on Dubai roads, offer smooth mobility, and reduce tailbacks at areas where Eid celebrations take place.

As regards the taxi sector, Shakri said: "We have coordinated with the franchise companies in the emirate (Dubai Taxi, Cars Taxi, Arabia Taxi, National Taxi, Metro Taxi and City Taxi) to ensure that the number of taxicabs operated during Eid Al Fitr holiday is not less than 95 per cent of the taxi fleet (9,341 vehicles). Besides, taxicabs will be distributed to Dubai districts, especially tourist sites, malls and festivity areas."

All limo companies will be allowed to lift riders during Eid days from malls witnessing high density visitors, such as the most prominent tourist destination the Dubai Mall, he added.

The Dubai Taxi Corporation has set up an emergency team during the Eid holidays to serve the needs of all customers, visitors, service users, motorists and taxi riders. Plans also include a coordination between the airports (T1, 2 and 3 in addition to Al Maktoum Airport), Dubai Mall, Metro Stations and other entities.