UAE transport system gears up for influx of 25 million visitors

The bid committee will showcase mass-transit options that include zero-emission buses, new Metro stations and dedicated lanes on key arterial roads to take visitors to the planned Expo 2020 site.

The Roads and Transport Authority will be gearing up for increased traffic in Dubai if the emirate succeeds in its bid for Expo 2020. Razan Alzayani / The National)

DUBAI // About 25 million visitors could make their way to Dubai for Expo 2020 - meaning the emirate will have to be able to offer enough transport links.
But that will not be a problem, according to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The mass-transit options the bid committee will showcase this week include zero-emission buses, new Metro stations and dedicated lanes on key arterial roads to take visitors to the planned site at Dubai Trade Centre - Jebel Ali.
The Metro will be able up to ferry more than 75,000 people a day to the site, while commuters can board one of 750 ExpoRider buses from 35 points across the city.
"Whatever infrastructure will be built, it's an investment for the future," said Mattar Al Tayer, the chairman of the board and executive director of the RTA.
"The Dubai Metro is an iconic addition to the landmarks and high-flying achievements ... using cutting-edge technology and carving a niche for itself as the world's longest driverless metro project."
Additions to the Metro and roads would match the emirate's "sweeping development and measure up to its futuristic ambitions", Mr Al Tayer added.
The masterplan for 2020 includes construction of an extension to the Red Line that will take passengers from Jebel Ali to the expo.
Senior RTA staff had been attending workshops since August last year to learn about the bid process and how government employees and organisations could raise awareness about the project.
The goal is to involve government staff and encourage widespread participation at all levels.
The RTA is aiming to increase the share of public transport from 13 per cent to 30 per cent by 2030.
About 1 million passengers use public transport daily in Dubai, with an average of 364,000 on the Metro.
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