DUBAI // The RTA has prepared a traffic plan for New Year's Eve – a night usually plagued by gridlock, particularly in the area surrounding the Burj Khalifa.
“The team has taken all necessary measures to facilitate traffic movement at Burj Khalifa area during the celebration of New Year's Eve and day,” said Maitha bin Udai, the team leader and chief executive of RTA Traffic and Roads Agency.
As well as deploying round-the-clock buses to transport metro users, the RTA will provide an additional 11,000 parking spots near the events area: 1,500 at the World Trade Centre, 8,000 at Meydan, 500 at the Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs at Al Jafliya, and 1,000 at Zabeel Park.
Motorists can also make use of the parking spots in front of Al Wasl Sports Club and use mass transit systems available free of charge.
To avoid congestion, about 130 buses will be deployed to transport passengers between the parking areas and the events area.
The Dubai Metro will provide non-stop service on New Year's Eve, and the Burj Khalifa – Dubai Mall Metro Station will be closed from 10pm tomorrow to 6am on Thursday, so passengers can use the Business Bay and the Dubai Financial Centre stations as an option, where free buses will be operating to the nearest station.
The RTA expects about 820,000 passengers to use public transport on New Year's Eve and about 490,000 passengers the next day.
The pedestrian bridge near the Burj Khalifa, on Sheikh Zayed Road, will be closed at midnight.
Traffic lights in the area will be controlled to ensure smooth flow during peak hours. Virtual messaging signs will direct drivers to suitable alternative routes in coordination with Dubai Police and Emaar.
Motorists are being asked not to use the two express lanes in both directions of Al Saada Street from Dubai World Trade Centre to the Business Bay district as they are for buses and taxis only.
“We have got a ready and approved plan to control the traffic movement during New Year's Eve, where the team would play a key role in giving way to vehicles leaving the area after the end of the event,” Ms bin Udai said.
The team has taken into consideration the latest developments, including using newly opened roads such as Al Asayel Street, where outbound traffic will be closed from Oud Metha Street to the Business Bay district to make way for buses and taxis on the day of the event.
One lane will be dedicated for buses and taxis in the opposite direction from Business Bay to Oud Metha Street.
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The Red Line of the Dubai Metro will offer continuous service starting from 5.30am tomorrow, up to 1am on Friday. During Al Mawlid Al Nabawi holidays – the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed – the service will be from 5.30am on Saturday up to midnight.
Metro
The Green Line of the Dubai Metro will operate from 5.50am on New Year's Eve up to midnight on Friday. During celebrations for the Prophet's birthday the service on this line will be from 5.50am on Saturday up to midnight.
Tram
The Dubai Tram will operate from 6.30am tomorrow up to 1.30am on Friday. During celebrations for the Prophet's birthday the tram service will be from 6.30am on Saturday to 1.30am.
Buses
On Thursday, public buses and main stations such as the Gold Souk and Al Ghubaiba will operate from 5am to midnight. At subsidiary stations at Al Qusais, Al Quoz Industrial, Satwa and Jebel Ali, the service will be from 5am to midnight except for Route C01, which will operate around the clock. Jebel Ali bus station will be operational from 5.40am to 9.47pm.
Metro stations' feeder bus service at Abu Hail, Al Rashidiya, Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta, Burj Khalifa and Etisalat will operate from 5.15am to 1.10am from Thursday to Saturday. Buses will be in with the metro stations.
Parking
All paid parking zones in Dubai will be free from Thursday to Saturday, except for the Fish Market car park and the multistorey car park.
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