Happy 15th, RTA: How commuting has become a breeze in Dubai

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is marking its 15th anniversary on Sunday, coinciding with the 11th Public Transport Day. And what better way to celebrate than to look back on the last 15 years and see how the emirate has turned its roads and public transport system into one of the world’s best. Here are some key milestones that the RTA has crossed since it was launched in 2005, as explained by Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA.

METRO, TRAM, BUSES, FERRIES — YOU NAME IT, DUBAI HAS GOT IT

Thanks to improvements in the emirate’s public transport network, more people are opting for mass transit means — from six per cent in 2006 to 18 per cent in 2019. This convenient transport system has made Dubai a destination of choice for global events, like Expo 2020.

WORLD-CLASS ROADS CONNECT YOU TO THE REST OF THE CITY

By the end of 2019, the total length of Dubai’s road network increased to about 18,000 lane-kilometre compared to 8,715 lane-kilometre in 2006. Similarly, the number of pedestrian bridges and underpasses increased from 13 in 2006 to 119 in 2019.

KEEPING THE CITY’S STREETS, HIGHWAYS SAFER SINCE 2005

The RTA’s efforts have slashed road accidentrelated fatalities from 22 cases per 100,000 of the population in 2006 to only 2.3 cases per 100,000 in 2019. When it comes to public transport, the Metro scored over 80 per cent in safety, as rated by the UK’s Office of Rail & Road.

PEDALLING DUBAI INTO BECOMING A BIKE-FRIENDLY CITY

The total length of cycling tracks in Dubai increased from just 10km in 2006 to as much as 425 km in 2019. Now the RTA is planning to extend it further to as much as 688 km by 2025, linking the neighbourhoods and other development areas across the city.

ALWAYS JUST ONE PHONE CALL OR A FEW TAPS AWAY

Maintaining high standards when it comes to customer service, the RTA offers 317 services via a wide range of channels — from its website www.rta.ae to its smart apps, call centre, seven customers happiness centres and smart kiosks.

WAITING TIME FOR TAXIS SLASHED FROM 12 TO 3.5 MINUTES

The RTA has constantly found ways to make its transport services more convenient. Recently, it developed a package of services to enhance commuters’ experience, including the launch of Hala e-hailing app, which significantly cut waiting time for taxis.

READY TO WOW THE WORLD DURING EXPO 2020

Most roads and transport construction projects listed under the master plan for Dubai Expo 2020 have already been completed. Route 2020, which extends the Dubai Metro’s Red Line to the Expo site, was inaugurated in July. The first next-gen bus station was recently opened.