Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has approved a plan to build exclusive lanes for buses and taxis along six main streets, including Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Street, 2nd of December Street, Al Satwa Road, Al Nahda Road, Omar bin Al Khattab Street, and Naif Street. Expected to be finished between 2025 to 2027, this initiative will expand Dubai's dedicated bus lane network to 20.1km.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Directors, RTA, said, "The dedicated bus and taxi lanes are part of key global practices and successful transportation policies that assist in encouraging residents to use public transport means rather than their private vehicles."
Here are key things the project aims to achieve:
- Shorten travel times and improve the punctuality of bus services.
- Boost public transport usage and enhance taxi services.
- Reduce operational expenses and integrate different modes of transportation.
- Lower emissions and promote environmental sustainability.
- Align with strategic objectives including Dubai's integration, well-being, and improving public transport user satisfaction.
The expansion of these dedicated bus lanes is aimed at reducing bus travel times by rates varying from 24% to 59% during peak hours and enhancing bus arrival time used on the dedicated routes from 28% to 56%.
Specifically, bus journey time would be reduced by 59% on Naif Street, 54% on Al Satwa Road, 50% on Omar Bin Al Khattab Street, and 38% on Al Nahda Road.
Bus arrival times are projected to see improvements by 56% on the 2nd of December street, 52% on Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Street, 48% on Al Satwa Road, and 42% on Omar bin Khattab Street.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Directors, RTA, added, "Endorsing the extension of the dedicated bus and taxi lanes plan culminates the remarkable success of the past three phases of the project, which notably reduced the trip time for buses on some routes by approximately 5 minutes per bus, recording an improvement in trip times by an estimated 24%. These results have also significantly boosted the satisfaction rating among riders and drivers of both buses and taxis."