Dubai: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is set to celebrate both its 18th anniversary and the 14th Public Transport Day initiative. The event, themed Gym on the Go, seeks to promote physical fitness as well as encourage residents and visitors to use public transportation for timely arrivals and a relaxed journey.
Mr. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors, commented that RTA’s efforts to develop a comprehensive transportation network have contributed to Dubai being one of the biggest urban economies worldwide.
The Director-General added that “in 2022, Dubai’s transport services, including the metro, tram, public buses, marine transport, taxis, and shared mobility options (e-hail, smart rentals, and Bus-on-Demand), served around 621.4 million riders, which translates to 1.7 million daily riders. In the first eight months of 2023, public transport ridership clocked 450 million passengers, marking a 12 percent rise compared to the 401 million ridership during the same period in 2022.”
RTA’s notable projects include Dubai Metro, the world’s longest driverless metro system stretching 89.3 kilometers; the 11-kilometer-long Dubai Tram, a modern fleet of 1,400 buses compatible with European low-carbon emission standards; and marine transport systems encompassing traditional Abras, ferries, and water taxis.
In addition, RTA developed an extensive network of roads and bridges, ensuring quick arrival at destinations across all modes of transport. Between 2006 and 2022, the road network expanded from 8,715 lane kilometers to 18,768 lane kilometers, and the number of bridges and tunnels surged from 129 to 988.
Furthermore, RTA unveiled its ‘Zero-Emissions Public Transportation in Dubai 2050’ strategy, rendering it the first Middle Eastern entity to chart a long-term plan for achieving net zero emissions in public transportation by 2050. The Authority is also a frontrunner in enhancing Dubai’s digital transformation and leveraging 4th Industrial Revolution technologies to ensure operational efficiency and customer service.