RTA maps out traffic plan during New Year's celebrations

In the context of preparations for the New Year's celebrations, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has developed a comprehensive plan for the traffic movement and mass transit services on Wednesday 31 December 2014 to meet the needs of the public & road users, and provide streamlined services enabling them to use public transit means or private vehicles in a safe & smooth manner.
Adel Shakri, Director of Public Transport Systems and Head of Events Management Team at RTA's Public Transport Agency, said, "A team has been formed to manage events comprising a bunch of highly experienced personnel in events held in the Emirate of Dubai; who are capable of coordinating with entities concerned with the running of events, and stand ready to take up required measures and precautions.
"We will rely on buses as a prime transit means upon the completion of the New Year's celebrations at Burj Khalifa-Dubai Mall where 130 buses will be deployed, including 100 articulated buses and 30 standard buses. These buses will provide free rides to the public on the route from Burj Khalifa -Dubai Mall station to the Dubai World Trade Centre, and the parking Yard of Al Wasl Sports Club," added Shakri.
As for the taxi sector in Dubai, Shakri said, "Coordination is in hand with franchise taxi operators (Dubai Taxi, Cars Taxi, Arabia Taxi, National Taxi and Metro Taxi) to ensure the full deployment of the fleet, which currently comprises 8997 vehicles, during the New Year's celebrations at the World Trade Centre station and the parking yard of Al Wasl Sports Club. No taxis will be deployed within Burj Khalifa - Dubai Mall area for the security & safety of the public and to ease vehicular congestion in the area.
A link has been established with the Booking and Dispatch Centre to handle customer requests round-the-clock. Last year public transport riders during the New Year's celebrations clocked great proportions where 618,473 riders used taxis in the Emirate of Dubai on the day; of whom 367,368 riders used taxis on the Eve of the New Year; and of whom 16,225 riders were picked up from Burj Khalifa -Dubai Mall Station only. The metro ridership of both the Red and Green Lines on the day clocked 748,377 riders; of whom 60,815 riders were lifted from Burj Khalifa - Dubai Mall station only.