Dubai is to introduce six new dedicated bus and taxi lanes this year under a major drive to ease congestion on the roads and capitalise on the growth of the emirate's public transport network.
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority set out the expansion strategy on Sunday after announcing 188 million journeys were made on public buses last year – up 8 per cent on the previous year.
Mattar Al Tayer, director general of the RTA, said bus services now cover 88 per cent of the emirate, with a fleet of 1,390 buses making 11,000 trips each day which span 333,000 kilometres.
“RTA is committed to enhancing the public bus service to encourage residents to choose public transport for their daily commutes,” Mr Al Tayer said.
“We aim to improve connectivity between residential, commercial, and industrial areas by seamlessly integrating the bus service with Dubai Metro.
“Buses serve as a vital link to other modes of transport, such as the metro, tram, and taxis. This year, RTA would implement a plan to expand dedicated bus and taxi lanes, adding six new lanes spanning 13 kilometres.
“With this expansion, the total length of dedicated lanes would reach 20 kilometres.”
Mr Al Tayer said the extension of bus and taxi lanes aimed to increase passenger numbers by 10 per cent, improve bus arrival times by 42 per cent and reduce journey times by 41 per cent.
Dubai public buses currently operate across 187 routes, with 64 linked to Metro stations as part of an integrated public transport plan.
“Last year, RTA launched nine express bus routes, added nine metro link routes, and introduced four new taxi routes in high-demand areas.
“Furthermore, the activation of the bus priority system at traffic signals on busy intersections has improved bus arrival times by up to 12 per cent,” he said.
Public transport key as population grows
Bolstering Dubai's public transport network is viewed as crucial to efforts to address traffic congestion as the emirate's population increases at a rapid pace.
Dubai's population stood at 3.94 million on Sunday, according to Dubai Statistic Centre's daily population clock.
This figure is up from 3.73 million on the same day last year.
While Dubai public bus passenger numbers show a healthy rise, the number of vehicles on the roads each day continues to increase.
Salik, Dubai's Road toll operator, said this week the number of registered active vehicles, including motorcycles, increased 9.3 per cent year-on-year to 4.47 million.
There was a 7.3 per cent increase in registered drivers for the same period.
In its report for the first three months of 2025, the toll operator said it recorded 210.8 million trips, up 35.1 per cent year-on-year.
National rail project on track
Etihad Rail's much-anticipated passenger train service is set to launch next year, marking a significant step forward for the country's landmark infrastructure project.
In a post on X, Etihad Rail said the UAE-wide line will start operations in 2026. This was confirmed on Thursday by a media relations group working for Etihad Rail.
The rail scheme is viewed as critical to efforts to encourage more people to ditch their cars and embrace public transport.
Etihad Rail in January said the first four passenger stations on the UAE-wide line would be in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah. The stations in Sharjah and Fujairah had been announced previously.
Separately, Etihad Rail in January announced plans for an electrified high-speed passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Dubai with its own set of stations.
Construction has yet to start and a date for the launch of services has yet to be revealed.
Work on Etihad Rail began in 2009. Since 2016, two tracks spanning 264km have been in operation – with trains transporting granulated sulphur from gasfields in Shah and Habshan to an export point in Ruwais.
When complete, the network will connect the seven emirates to the five neighbouring GCC states.
The line will ultimately link the UAE and Saudi Arabia from Fujairah Port to Ghuwaifat, through Khalifa Port and Jebel Ali Port.
A railway connecting the UAE with Oman is also planned.
T20 World Cup Qualifier
Final: Netherlands beat PNG by seven wickets
Qualified teams
1. Netherlands
2. PNG
3. Ireland
4. Namibia
5. Scotland
6. Oman
T20 World Cup 2020, Australia
Group A: Sri Lanka, PNG, Ireland, Oman
Group B: Bangladesh, Netherlands, Namibia, Scotland
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Arabian Gulf Cup FINAL
Al Nasr 2
(Negredo 1, Tozo 50)
Shabab Al Ahli 1
(Jaber 13)
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
THE SPECS
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode
Power: 121hp
Torque: 142Nm
Price: Dh95,900
More coverage from the Future Forum
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more from Janine di Giovanni
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Blah
Started: 2018
Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and talent management
Initial investment: Dh20,000
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 40
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
57%20Seconds
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Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
Racecard
6pm: The Pointe - Conditions (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
6.35pm: Palm West Beach - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (T) 1,800m
7.10pm: The View at the Palm - Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.45pm: Nakeel Graduate Stakes - Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
8.20pm: Club Vista Mare - Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,900m
8.55pm: The Palm Fountain - Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m
9.30pm: The Palm Tower - Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,600m
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
