News

37m people use RTA services during Expo 2020 Dubai

Published

4 years ago

April 4, 2022

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As many as 37.3 million people used Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) services during Expo 2020 Dubai, recent statistics indicate.

This is a whopping 67 per cent of the total usage of transport services at Expo. A total of 26.3 million people travelled by public transport — Dubai Metro, public buses, taxis and e-hail rides.

RTA’s transit modes served 37 per cent of Expo visitors and about 11 million motorists used RTA’s parking slots during Expo, said Mattar Al Tayer, director-general, chairman of the board of executive directors of RTA.

“The integrated infrastructure of road and transportation networks, as well as the master mobility plan developed by RTA in cooperation with strategic partners, was instrumental in facilitating the movement of residents and visitors from Dubai and other emirates to Expo 2020,” Al Tayer pointed out.

Dubai Metro carried 8.2 million riders and covered more than 5.7 million km during the Expo from October 1, 2021 till March 31, 2022.

Public buses transported 15.5 million people, covering over 7.3 million km.

There were four types of bus services, including the Expo Rider Intercity had 1 million riders; Expo Rider Dubai had 1.4 million riders. Parking Shuttles to the three Expo 2020 Dubai gates clocked 10.2 million riders; and People Mover buses between gates had 2.8 million riders.

Taxi and e-hail ride services, like Careem and Uber, carried 2.5 million riders, said Al Tayer.

“RTA managed more than 29,000 parking slots at the site of Expo at several zones,” he added. “A total of 11 million people used RTA’s parking services.”

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of #RTA revealed that the number of usages of RTA services during the period of Expo 2020 Dubai amounted to 37.3 million,https://t.co/6pqh6VIL3f pic.twitter.com/7T3kzP88uS

— RTA (@rta_dubai) April 3, 2022

RTA used sophisticated technology to manage parking to ensure a safe and smooth flow of vehicles to and from the parking lots. It included the use of smart messaging signs and the management of parking through a smart system connected to the traffic movement control centre to identify the vacant parking slots at the site. The Call Centre received more than 30,000 calls, and customers’ satisfaction rating exceeded 92 per cent.

RTA has constructed integrated infrastructure to serve Expo 2020 Dubai, costing over Dh15 billion. High on the list is Route 2020, a 15-km extension of the Dubai Metro, connecting seven stations served by newly procured 50 trains.

RTA constructed a wide roads network comprising 138 lane-kilometre and nine flyovers, in addition to deploying more than 200 public buses featuring the highest international specifications. It provided 18 stations and bus stops in Dubai and key cities across the UAE, besides providing more than 15,000 taxis and limousines.

RTA managed more than 29,000 parking spaces at the site of Expo, and employed smart technologies, applications and artificial intelligence to facilitate the movement of Expo visitors via metro, buses and taxis.

Related Topics:Dubai Expo 2020 RTA transport

Staff Reporter

Health

UAE to India travellers face new mandatory health declaration

Published

2 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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If you’re travelling from the UAE to India, there’s a new travel requirement you shouldn’t miss.

India has introduced Air Suvidha 2.0, a mandatory online health declaration system for all international arrivals. The form must be completed within 24 hours before your flight and is required before passengers are allowed to board.

The new system was introduced by India’s civil aviation authorities as a precautionary measure in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

What is Air Suvidha 2.0?

Air Suvidha 2.0 is an online self-declaration portal where travellers must provide their recent travel and health information before flying to India.

Passengers will be asked to submit details including:

Their travel history over the past 21 days
Any possible exposure to infectious diseases
Whether they are experiencing any related symptoms

Once the form is submitted, it is automatically shared with the Airport Health Organisation (APHO) under India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Is the form mandatory?

Yes. All international passengers travelling to India are required to complete the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form before boarding their flight.

Airlines may ask passengers to show proof that the form has been submitted before allowing them to travel.

Do you need a printed copy?

No. After submitting the form, travellers will receive a confirmation by email, which can simply be shown on a mobile phone upon arrival in India. There’s no need to carry a printed copy.

Completing the form in advance also helps speed up the arrival process by reducing paperwork at the airport.

Announcements

Good news for businesses: Sharjah slashes fees and fines

Published

3 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Businesses in Sharjah can now benefit from a range of temporary fee reductions after Sharjah Police unveiled a new package of incentives aimed at easing costs and supporting the emirate’s business community.

The measures, introduced in line with a decision by the Sharjah Executive Council, include 50% discounts on several security-related fees, along with reduced fines and lower training costs for companies.

What discounts are available?

Under the new initiative, eligible businesses will receive:

50% off security permit renewal fees for commercial activities
50% off security system subscription fees
50% reduction on eligible violations and fines
20% off mandatory training programme fees for companies

Sharjah Police said the initiative is designed to support commercial establishments, encourage business sustainability and further strengthen the emirate’s position as an attractive destination for investment.

How long will the discounts last?

The incentives will be available for three months from the date the decision comes into effect.

Businesses seeking more information about the discounts and eligibility can contact the Sharjah Police Call Centre on 901.

India

Waiting for Indian passport services in the UAE? Here’s the latest update

Published

4 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Indian nationals in the UAE will have to wait a little longer for regular passport, visa and attestation services to resume.

The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai have announced that they will continue offering only emergency consular services until July 1, extending the temporary suspension of routine services by an additional day.

In a post on the missions’ official X account, the embassy said emergency requests for passports, visas, attestation and other consular services will continue to be processed during the transition period.

Why the delay?

The extension comes as the Indian missions complete the handover of outsourced passport, visa and attestation services to Alhind Tours and Travel LLC, which is set to begin operations in the UAE from July 1.

Under the transition plan, previous service providers BLS International and SGIVS Global stopped accepting new applications after June 25, while regular appointments were suspended from June 26.

The missions said the extension is due to administrative reasons.

Need urgent assistance?

Applicants with emergency requirements can contact the Indian missions through:

Toll-free: 800 46342 (800 INDIA)
WhatsApp: +971 54 309 0571
Email: pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in

The embassy said details about the resumption of normal services from July 2 onwards will be announced separately and advised applicants to follow its official social media channels for updates.