More than 1.6 million people made use of Dubai’s public transport on New Year’s Eve, with the Metro claiming the biggest share at 727,829 passengers, a report said.

While 525,997 took the taxi, buses saw 314,109 riders, inter-city buses 44,587 passengers, and marine transit 43,764 users, reported WAM, the Emirates News Agency.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) worked out a plan to control vehicular movement and public transport on New Year's Eve, which witnessed intensive traffic movement, especially in the surroundings of Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and the Palm Jumeirah, explained Dr Aysha Al Busmait, media adviser and RTA spokesperson.

Metro service hours were extended to ensure continuous services from 5:30 am until the early hours of January 1, 2014, she said.

"The RTA provided 60 feeder buses to serve Metro users, additional parking, and additional taxi ranks over and above the existing routes serving the neighbourhood,” she was quoted as saying.

"Taxi ranks and a dedicated taxi-lane were designated to facilitate access to the event venue, where two main car parks were designated. Fifty-five limousine companies were also invited to offer services to passengers during the event," Dr Al Busmait added.