Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei revealed that the expansion of the road network and efforts to increase capacity include a package of projects worth AED 170 billion. This includes AED 11 billion for federal road projects, AED 95 billion for local road developments, and AED 64 billion allocated to Etihad Rail projects.
Al Mazrouei said: “The public transport development operations include an integrated mass transit network linking Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, comprising 10 routes and rapid BRT buses. This is expected to result in a 45% increase in bus usage and raise the contribution of marine transport by 35%,” noting that “the integrated solutions plan to address traffic congestion includes strengthening connectivity and providing traffic alternatives, enhancing multimodal transport, transitioning to smart mobility, institutional integration and traffic management, in addition to awareness and the promotion of better traffic behavior.”
He added: “By 2030, the rail sector will increase freight capacity to 60 million tonnes, reduce transport costs by 30%, shift 5,600 freight trips per day to rail, and contribute to the transport of 36.5 million passengers annually. The Etihad Rail passenger network will extend over 900 kilometres, with travel time from Abu Dhabi to Dubai taking only 50 minutes, and from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah 100 minutes,” which will help encourage commuters to use trains.
He also pointed out that the development of the mass transit system will include 21,591 public transport vehicles, the allocation of 393 planned vehicle lanes, 40 marine lines covering 74 stations, 11 trains linking all the emirates of the country within light rail systems, 129 metro trains within heavy rail systems, and 53 metro stations.
