Coronavirus: Parking fees and taxi fares to return to normal in Dubai as restrictions are eased

Public bus service resumes in Abu Dhabi but buses from Dubai remain suspended

RTA taxis will charge regular rates from Sunday following the partial relaxation of restrictions on movement due to the coronavirus. Pawan Singh / The National

Parking fees and taxi fares will return to normal in Dubai from Sunday, the city’s Roads and Transport Authority has confirmed.

The RTA said public transport services would also resume on Sunday following partial lifting of restrictions on movement to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Dubai’s main Metro line will run from 7am to 11pm.

Taxis had earlier reduced fares for passengers on hospital trips and the Metro had suspended services from April 4.

The Integrated Transport Committee in Abu Dhabi announced parking would be free in the capital throughout Ramadan.

Public bus services in Abu Dhabi resumed yesterday after a two-day sterilisation programme.

The service was suspended for 48 hours to sterilise the vehicles and ensure safety of passengers and drivers.

Yesterday, bus services began running from 6am to 8pm in the Abu Dhabi, Al Ain City and Al Dhafra regions.

The ITC said all customer happiness centres will remain closed as part of precautionary measures to tackle the coronavirus.

Intercity buses from Dubai and marine transport remain suspended until further notice, authorities said.

More than 170,000 signs have been placed across the Dubai Metro, inside buses and taxis to remind people to leave seats beside them empty and keep adequate distance when travelling by public transport.

Failure to follow instructions on red signs will result in fines while yellow signs count as a reminder of measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the Roads and Transport Authority said.

The boards will be displayed prominently at entry and exit points of bus and metro stations and will also feature in its limousine services and at customer centres.

The RTA had announced it would allocate 15 buses and 40 taxis to transport people in Dubai who came in contact with Covid-19 cases, and those who had recovered from the disease.

“A dedicated field team is tasked to oversee the management of these buses including the provision of all supplies to safeguard against the spread of viruses,” an RTA representative said about co-ordinating with Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management to take people to quarantine areas.

“Buses will also be used to lift recovering patients to their homes, and transfer passengers from and to the Dubai Airport while fully addressing prevention and safety stipulations.”