Cities’ public transport is back, but with virus safety rules
Parking fees and taxi fares will return to normal in Dubai today, the emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority announced, after some tariffs had been reduced and Metro services suspended.
The RTA said public transport services would also resume after the partial lifting of restrictions on movement imposed due to Covid-19.
Dubai’s main Metro line will run from 7am to 11pm.
The Integrated Transport Committee in Abu Dhabi announced parking would be free in the capital throughout Ramadan.
Public bus services in Abu Dhabi resumed yesterday after two days of sterilisation.
The service was suspended for 48 hours so vehicles could be deep-cleaned.
Yesterday, bus services began running from 6am to 8pm in the Abu Dhabi, Al Ain City and Al Dhafra regions.
The ITC said all customer happiness centres will remain closed as part of precautionary measures to tackle the coronavirus.
Intercity buses from Dubai and marine transport remain suspended until further notice, authorities said.
More than 170,000 signs have been placed across the Dubai Metro and inside buses and taxis to remind passengers to leave seats beside them empty and keep their distance from others.
Failure to follow instructions on red signs will result in fines while yellow signs serve as reminders of measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the RTA said.
The boards will appear at entry and exit points of bus and metro stations and be displayed by limousine services and customer centres.
The RTA had announced it would allocate 15 buses and 40 taxis to transport people in Dubai who came in contact with Covid-19 cases, and those who had recovered from the disease.
“A dedicated field team is tasked to oversee the management of these buses including the provision of all supplies to safeguard against the spread of viruses,” an RTA representative said about co-ordinating with Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management to take people to quarantine areas.
“Buses will also be used to lift recovering patients to their homes, and transfer passengers from and to the Dubai Airport while fully addressing prevention and safety stipulations.”