Dubai plans for six new dedicated lanes for buses and taxis in 2025

Plans are underway to develop six new dedicated lanes for buses and taxis in 2025, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Sunday.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said the six new lanes will span 13km, bringing the total length of dedicated lanes to reach 20 km.

"The expansion is expected to increase passenger numbers by 10 per cent, improve bus arrival times by 42 per cent, reduce journey times by 41 per cent, encourage greater public transport use, and help alleviate traffic congestion," he added.

Releasing stats for 2024, the RTA credited the use of AI and smart systems for enhancing efficiency of public bus networks in the city.

It has improved operational performance, reduced costs, ensured better adherence to schedules and elevated customer satisfaction, the statement from RTA read. It added that the bus service now covers about 88 per cent of the emirate, with a fleet of 1,390 buses completing 11,000 daily trips and covering approximately 333,000 km.

“RTA is committed to enhancing the public bus service to encourage residents to choose public transport for their daily commutes," Al Tayer said, adding, "We aim to improve connectivity between residential, commercial, and industrial areas by seamlessly integrating the bus service with Dubai Metro."

In 2024, he added that the number of public bus users reached 188 million, marking an 8 per cent increase compared to 2023.

"The current fleet of 1,390 buses operates across 187 routes, including 110 routes serving urban and rural areas, 64 metro link routes, 13 intercity routes, and seasonal routes to locations such as Global Village.

"Buses complete 11,000 daily trips, covering over 333,000 kilometres and transporting over 500,000 riders daily."

In 2024, the RTA launched nine express bus routes, added nine metro link routes, and introduced four new taxi routes in high-demand areas. "The activation of the bus priority system at traffic signals on busy intersections has improved bus arrival times by up to 12 per cent," Al Tayer added.