Dubai on Wednesday unveiled plans to waive parking fees for Emirati senior citizens and exempt people with disabilities from paying Salik road toll charges in support of a national effort to promote family values.
A series of community initiatives will begin under a partnership agreed between the emirate's Roads and Transport Authority and the Ministry of Family.
The strategy aims to use public transport services as a way to improve quality of life in Dubai and supports the UAE government's Family First programme and comes during the Year of Family.
Authorities did not say when the transport charge exemptions and discounts would take effect.
“Our partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority represents a practical extension of the Family First programme and a step in expanding its scope to include one of the sectors with the greatest impact on families’ daily lives – transport and urban mobility,” said Sana Suhail, Minister of Family.
Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the board of executive directors at the RTA, said the scheme would reduce the “daily burdens on families”.
“At RTA, we are committed to aligning our projects and policies with the national directions for the growth of the Emirati family by providing a safe, accessible, and inclusive transport system that caters to the needs of all segments of society,” he said.
“This contributes to reducing the daily burdens on families and enhancing the ease of mobility of their members within an integrated urban environment.
What are the benefits?
- Emirati senior citizens – aged 60 and above – will be exempt from parking fees
- Discounted public transport fares will be offered to senior Emiratis and students
- Exemption of people with disabilities from Salik toll fees, parking charges, public transport fares, and vehicle registration and renewal fees, plus 50 per cent reduction in taxi fares and driver licensing fees
What is the Year of Family?
The UAE is facing challenges posed by a declining birth rate and an ageing population, which could leave fewer citizens of working age to help drive the economy forward.
The Emirati birth rate declined by about 11 per cent between 2015 and 2022, government figures show. Like elsewhere in the Arab world, the average age of citizens is rising, with the number of Emiratis 60 and older expected to increase from about 165,000 to two million by 2050. It is a trend that has drawn a national response.
To promote awareness and celebrate family values, the government will launch initiatives and partnerships with citizens, residents and private companies throughout 2026.
The Year of Family aligns with the National Family Growth Agenda 2031, a clear vision for the Emirati family to be the centre of development, social balance and sustainability.
