If you’ve ever been stuck in rush-hour traffic thinking, ‘There’s got to be a better way’,  the UAE just heard you loud and clear.

The country has announced a massive Dh70 billion national transport plan aimed at tackling congestion and transforming road travel by 2030.

Unveiled during the UAE Government Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi, the plan includes major road expansions, a new 12-lane federal highway, and advanced public transport systems, all designed to keep the country moving smoothly.

Here’s what’s coming:

• Brand-new 12-lane highway: This 120km stretch will have the capacity to handle 360,000 trips per day.
• Etihad Road: To get 6 extra lanes (three each way), boosting capacity by 60 per cent.
• Emirates Road: This new road will link Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi, and will expand to 10 lanes, cutting travel time by 45 per cent.
• Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road; Plans are on to widen this road to 10 lanes, improving capacity by 45 per cent.

Road efficiency to improve by 73 per cent

The plan, led by Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, is part of a national strategy to enhance road efficiency by 73 per cent in the next five years, and ease the UAE’s growing traffic problem.

With vehicle numbers climbing 8 per cent annually (that’s four times the global average), and overlapping school and work rush hours, congestion has become a daily battle.

But there’s hope on the horizon, from new road projects to the upcoming Etihad Rail passenger service in 2026, and even a 24-hour traffic monitoring centre that analyses jams in real-time.

So yes, the UAE’s traffic future looks a lot smoother and a lot faster. Buckle up, change is on the way.

If you’re someone who frequently uses taxis in Dubai, listen up. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has just announced some important updates to cab fares when you book via smart apps like Careem.

The minimum fare for e-booked rides has now gone up from Dh12 to Dh13. But don’t worry, if you flag down a cab on the street, these new rates won’t affect you.

Plus, there are new booking fees that change depending on whether it’s peak, off-peak, or night hours, and they vary by day of the week. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Monday to Thursday Rates

• Peak hours (8am-9:59am, 4pm-7:59pm): Minimum fare Dh5, Booking fee Dh7.5

• Off-peak (6am-7:59am, 10am-3:59pm): Minimum fare Dh5, Booking fee Dh4

• Night hours (5:59pm-10pm): Minimum fare Dh5.5, Booking fee Dh4.5

Friday Rates

• Peak (8am-9:59am, 4pm-9:59pm): Minimum fare Dh5, Booking fee Dh7.5

• Off-peak (6am-7:59am, 10am-3:59pm): Minimum fare Dh5, Booking fee Dh4

• Night (Midnight-5:59am): Minimum fare Dh5.5, Booking fee Dh4.5

Saturday and Sunday Rates

• Peak (4pm-9:59pm): Minimum fare Dh5, Booking fee Dh7.5

• Late night peak (10pm-11:59pm): Minimum fare Dh5.5

• Off-peak (6am-7:59am, 10am-3:59pm): Minimum fare Dh5, Booking fee Dh4

• Night (Midnight-5:59am): Minimum fare Dh5.5, Booking fee Dh4.5

Benefit for travellers

The revised taxi fare system is part of RTA’s broader move toward smart mobility and data-driven transport management.

By analysing booking patterns and demand peaks across the city, the authority has developed a model that encourages travel during off-peak hours and ensures better distribution of drivers throughout Dubai.

The new system also brings greater transparency for riders. Instead of fixed surcharges that often didn’t reflect real-time demand, fares will now adjust dynamically, rising during busy morning and evening periods, and becoming more affordable during mid-day and late-night hours.

What changes for commuters?
For users booking through taxi apps, fares will now vary slightly depending on when they book, lower during quieter times and higher when demand surges. For passengers hailing taxis on the street, fares remain unchanged.

The shift aligns Dubai’s fare structure with global smart-transport models focused on transparency, fairness, and efficiency. With this update, Dubai’s taxis are now more responsive to real-world demand, ensuring smoother operations and better service availability throughout the day.

So, if you rely on booking rides through apps, make sure you’re ready for these new fare changes. They’re designed to keep the taxi service running smoothly during busy times.

A mild earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale struck south of Musandam on Tuesday, November 4, according to the National Seismic Network of the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

The quake occurred at 4:40pm UAE time at a depth of 5km, with light tremors felt in some parts of the UAE. Authorities confirmed that the earthquake had no impact within the country.

The NCM continues to monitor seismic activity in the region, noting that minor tremors occasionally occur due to the UAE’s proximity to the Zagros mountain range, one of the most active seismic zones in the world.

Recent Seismic Activity in the Region

This is the latest in a series of minor earthquakes recorded in and around the UAE in recent months.

• In August 2024, a 2.2-magnitude earthquake was reported in Oman’s Madha region, a small Omani exclave located within Fujairah.
• On August 22, a 3.3-magnitude tremor was recorded in Fujairah’s Safad area.

While the UAE is not situated in a major earthquake zone, occasional tremors are typically low in magnitude and pose no threat to residents or infrastructure.