In the bid to make transportation gain more coverage in Dubai and on the flip side make commuting easier for residents, the city will open new dedicated bus and taxi lanes in its old town, precisely along Khalid bin Al Waleed and Mina Streets.

Upon opening in January 21, the two-lane 4.3km exclusive road should speed up journeys by allowing vehicles to glide through traffic, among other things such as cost-effectiveness.

Learn about:
Dubai Bus
Dubai Taxi
Getting Around Dubai

Specifically on its exclusivity, the new lanes are fenced off from the regular road and marked with red strips along Khalid bin Al Waleed Street and Al Mina Street, with runs through Karama and the souq districts.

The new section will add to an existing trial in the area, meaning there are now 11.6km along seven streets: Mankhool, Khaleej, Khalid bin Al Waleed, Al Ghubaiba, Naif, Al Ittihad and Mina.

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general of the city’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said the move should “encourage people to ride public transport means rather than private vehicles”.

He said the existing sections have shaved about 5 minutes from the average bus journey and should “improve taxi arrival times, and reduce the direct and indirect operational costs, as well as the pollutant emissions”.

The new stretch is located on two streets that are notoriously congested at rush hour.

“Currently, 40 bus routes use dedicated lanes, including 19 routes that use Khalid bin Al Waleed Street”, he added.

Source: TheNationalNews.com