Exclusive corridors make travel a breeze in Dubai

With the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) adding more lanes to its Dedicated Bus and Taxi Lanes Project, more people are keen to use public transport facility to save on commute time.

The 4.3km exclusive corridor on Khalid Bin Al Waleed street — the latest addition which will open for traffic from January 21 — is expected to reduce time spent on the roads, especially on the stretch which is arguably one of the busiest in Bur Dubai.

“I always factor in a few extra minutes if I have to cross through that stretch, especially during peak hours. It is a busy road but I think this new corridor will help ease traffic flow. Also, I think it should encourage more people to use public transport, especially when visiting that area for the quick ride,” says Ankita Chaturvedi, a resident in the area.

Nikhil Sharma, a banker residing in Mankhool, echoes similar sentiments. “I think dedicated lanes make a significant difference in traffic movement. I don’t use that road every day, but only when we have to go to Meena Bazaar. Considering the dense traffic, such a corridor is sure to help.”

The dedicated bus and taxi lane project is similar to the rapid bus transit system which is widely popular across the world. More than 170 cities globally have adopted this system to improve the capacity and reliability of public transport. The exclusive lanes combine the capacity and speed of a metro, which usually has a dedicated platform, with the flexibility and lower cost of a bus system, ensuring a win-win for riders and cities that aim to reduce carbon emissions and fuel-guzzling cars.

Besides the ease and the green impact of this project, it also keeps heeds to the road safety aspect. “The passengers will be better protected as the lanes offer an integrated system. The corridor is connected with bus shelters and stations and also feature pedestrian crossings. Dubai has been adopting best in class practices from the world, and this is yet another example,” said Thomas Edelmann, CEO, Road Safety UAE.

The total length of dedicated bus and taxi lanes in Dubai now stands at 11.6 km and is spread over seven key streets, namely Al Mankhool, Al Khaleej, Khalid bin Al Waleed, Al Ghubaiba, Naif, Al Ittihad and Al Mina streets.

“Building dedicated bus and taxi lanes is a successful global practice that encourages people to ride public transport means rather than private vehicles. It is a common practice in several metropolitan cities in North America and Europe,” said Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority.

The initial two phases of this project saved about five minutes in the journey of each bus. Currently, 40 bus routes use dedicated lanes including 19 routes that use Khalid Bin Al Waleed Street.

Passengers will be better protected as the lanes offer an integrated system — connected with bus shelters and stations and also pedestrian crossings. Thomas Edelmann

CEO, Road Safety UAE

Building dedicated bus and taxi lanes is a successful global practice that encourages people to ride public transport means rather than private vehicles.” Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer director-general, chairman, RTA