Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced several proactive and preventive measures to protect the health of public transport riders.

 

Measures taken include controlling the number of riders per metro/bus to maintain a safe distance between riders. Bus doors will be controlled by the driver. The front/middle doors will be opened, and the rear door will remain shut. Moreover, the number of taxi riders has been limited to two per taxi (in the rear seat), said a Wam news agency report.

 

RTA has also increased the number of journeys and stepped up the service frequency of Dubai Metro. Furthermore, all bus shelters in Dubai have been closed temporarily as part of precautionary steps. The objective of these measures is to ensure healthy and safe transit services at the highest global standards and enforce social distancing among passengers.

 

RTA has called on public transport riders not to use public transport unless necessary; plan their journeys in advance to avoid peak hours, as delays are expected due to the new measures taken; and cooperate with the supervisors deployed at bus and metro stations or on board these modes. It has also urged them to use personal protective equipment while moving around in public areas.

 

Meanwhile, RTA and Dubai Police General Headquarters announced they have temporarily lifted the ban on the movement of empty trucks weighing 2.5 tonnes on roads in Dubai.

 

The lifting of the ban excludes the airport and Shindagha Tunnels as well as Al Maktoum and Floating Bridges. Similarly, the previous ban on the movement of trucks transporting hazardous materials remains in force.

 

The lifting of the ban will remain in place throughout the period of precautionary measures put in place by authorities against coronavirus, COVID-19, according to Government of Dubai Media Office.

 

"The decision aims to ease the movement of trucks and streamline the delivery of consumables to the market," the two authorities said, calling on truck drivers to comply with traffic and driving rules, and use lanes dedicated for trucks on highways.