Thousands download RTA new apps in Dubai - in pictures

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  The Smart Drive app is a free voice-activated navigation app for the entire UAE. It gives live traffic updates for Dubai, detailing any congestion, diversions and crashes, though only if the user has internet access. Uses different colour codes to indicate traffic. It is a reliable substitute to Google Maps and one of RTA’s best apps. The app, which can provide 3D views of buildings, has been downloaded 30,774 times.

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  The Wojhati app is journey planner using buses, metro, taxis, water bus and, soon, the tram. It gives accurate and live data on transport options, the time taken and any route or bus stop changes as well as updated information on departures from your current location. It is fairly straightforward and simple to use.

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  The Smart Salik app allows you to check your Salik balance, top up using a recharge voucher or credit or debit card, check history of recharges, pay Salik fines. But, unlike some of the other apps, which share login details, you need to create a separate username and password. It alerts you if you have passed a gate without enough balance. Also, you can have more than one Salik account registered. At 154,560 downloads, it is clearly one of the most popular and useful applications for Dubai residents on the move. However, it should allow recharges using phone balances, similar to the SMS parking pay option.

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  The Public Transport app allows users to check their Nol transport card balance, top up, apply for a personalised Nol card and track their transaction and travel history. It allows you to recharge before you hop on a bus, train, metro or the tram but it needs more functions to attract more users.

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  The Smart Parking app allows users to pay for parking using their credit card. In future, it will help detect parking spaces in congested areas, malls and RTA’s multi-storey parking. The app does not charge a booking fee, which means users save the 30 fils they are charged when paying by SMS. It is easy and simple to navigate. However, the ability to spot parking spaces would be the real test of the app’s usefulness.

Thousands of Dubai residents are downloading the Roads and Transport Authority’s new mobile applications to get taxis, top up Salik, pay for parking, renew their licences and get live maps and instant traffic updates while driving around the city. Here’s our verdict