New bus and taxi lane in Bur Dubai opens on Thursday

A dedicated bus and taxi lane on Dubai's Khalid bin Al Waleed Street will open on Thursday, January 21.

It extends along a 4.3 km stretch from Al Mina Street junction to a point just before Zabeel Street junction.

According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), as many as 60 buses serving around 19 routes are expected to use the lane every hour.

Motorists caught accessing the lane will be fined AED 600.

Its opening comes following the completion of a trial phase, which saw the bus journey time improve by as much as 24 per cent.

"To raise the awareness of road users, RTA installed directional signs at the entry of the lane explaining the types of vehicles allowed to pass through and cautioning motorists against accessing the lane, which constitutes an offence subject to AED 600 fine," said Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of the RTA's Public Transport Agency.

"To make it easy and avoid accidental use of the dedicated Bus & Taxi Lane on Khalid bin Al Waleed St, the lane was given a distinctive red-colour with pavement marking of buses. Signages were installed at the start and middle of the lane along with light signals indicating the bus-only lane. The project includes the construction of pedestrian walkways, air-conditioned shelters for waiting bus and taxi riders, street lights, roadside parking and landscaping works," explained Bahrozyan.

"Bus drivers were familiarised with the use of this lane during a trial period that started on January 11th and ended on January 20th, including daily use of the lane," he added.

.@rta_dubai is all set to start operating the dedicated Bus & Taxi Lane of Khalid bin Al Waleed St on Thursday, Jan 21st, which contributes to improving the bus journey time by as much as 24%.https://t.co/zy4wM3XnEI pic.twitter.com/DteaqbPz93

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 20, 2021

Earlier, RTA completed the construction of dedicated bus lanes stretching 7.3 km that included parts of Naif Street (1 km), Al Ittihad Road (500 m), Al Mina Street (1700 m from Kuwait Street to the Falcon intersection), Al Mankhool Street (1800 m from Al Satwa R/A to Sheikh Rashid Street), Al Khaleej Street (1700 m from the Creek Street to Al Musalla Street), Khalid bin Al Waleed Street (100 m from Al-Mina Street Intersection to Street 16), and Al Ghubaiba Street (500 m from Al-Mina Street intersection to Street 12).