Dubai cashless strategy: Dubai Finance and DIFC sign strategic partnership
Dubai has revealed big plans to eventually become a cashless city.
The Dubai cashless strategy will eventually mean that all payments in the city across government and private sectors will go digital.
A big step forward in the plans came on Friday May 16 2025, as Dubai Finance and DIFC signed an agreement to support the cashless strategy.
The initiative, first announced in October 2024, aims to ditch notes and coins for digital payments throughout the emirate.
Cashless transactions are hoped to hit around 90 percent of all transactions by 2026, potentially boosting economic growth by over Dhs8 billion annually.
Becoming cashless does not mean that money will be abandoned altogether but, instead, payments will be digital with banking apps and credit cards currently the main way to pay without physical notes or coins.
The strategy will also prioritise innovations in digital payments, including AI-driven solutions and contactless technologies to offer even more ways to pay.
And the latest development by DIFC and Dubai Finance means that there will be specialised workshops to help businesses make the switch. The collab will also bring AI-driven initiatives that add value for workers, tourists and the broader community by adopting digital payments.
In the presence of Ahmed bin Saeed, Dubai Finance signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dubai International Financial Centre to support the implementation of the Dubai Cashless Strategy. The agreement focuses on the strategy's three core pillars—governance, innovation, and… pic.twitter.com/toZv5W1Q1A
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 16, 2025
The city plans for 100 percent of stores to accept digital payments and for everyone living in the city to be able to pay digitally.
That's right, bartering at the souq with notes or rummaging around the back of the sofa for long-lost change could soon be a thing of the past.
The Dubai Cashless Strategy was initially revealed late on Tuesday October 1 following a meeting of The Executive Council of Dubai.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, chaired that meeting, outlining that the city aims to make itself one of the top five cashless cities in the world.
.@HamdanMohammed chairs @TECofDubai's meeting; approves the Education Strategy 2033, the Real Estate Strategy 2033 and Dubai Cashless Strategy. pic.twitter.com/WKarLMvBmt
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) October 1, 2024
Dubai has also outlined that it wants to make a range of financial technology services available to people in the city.
The plan to make the switch to becoming cashless has been brought about with consumers, payment service providers and merchants in mind with the move set to have a wider benefit of convenience and speedier payments throughout the emirate.
At the meeting, the city also discussed its overarching real estate strategies, plans for education and the future of transport in Dubai.
If you've got some spare pennies and have no idea what to do with them, then check out our guide on what to do with Dhs1 in Dubai.
Looking for things to do in Dubai?
112 best things to do in Dubai in 2025
Everything to tick off your Dubai bucket list
50 free things to do in Dubai
Feeling the pinch? Enter free things to do
Here's how to eat at 10 expensive Dubai restaurants for less
Early bird dinners, lunch specials and more
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out Dubai
4 days ago
- Time Out Dubai
Al Khawaneej Mall opens in Dubai: New Union Coop location
Listen up, shoppers. A brand new mall has just opened in Dubai. Al Khawaneej Mall has officially opened in Al Khawaneej 2 and brings a new hypermarket, new retail and plenty of parking spaces. Spread over a space of approximately 70,000 square feet, the new mall features a mix of outlets, a children's nursery and an ENOC service station. First announced in June 2023, the mall has now been formally inaugurated following the opening of Union Coop. The mall has been built in accordance with international standards for green buildings, using eco-friendly materials and construction techniques. (Credit: Union Coop) Money generated from the complex will be used to cover the expenses of 50 mosques. As part of Dubai's 'Mosques Endowment' campaign, Dhs8 million of the mall's annual revenue will be set aside to support the places of worship. The latest technologies to generate, save, and recycle energy have been included in the construction of the mall. The aim of this green approach is to improve the quality of the environment within the mall and reduce negative impacts on the ecosystem. You might also like: The best shopping malls in Dubai The mall's design emphasises comfort, natural flow, and user-centric functionality. The layout incorporates open circulation paths, natural lighting elements, and minimalist aesthetics, enhancing both shopper convenience and visual appeal. Union Coop CEO Mohammed Al Hashemi described the project as more than a mall. He said: 'The project is much more than just a shopping centre or a mall, but a thoughtfully designed social-retail space, which seeks to offer an exceptional customer experience that aligns with the state-of-the-art Dubai standard. 'The architectural style is flexible, family-centric and people-friendly.' Things to do in Dubai The best pool day deals in Dubai Where to get beach and pool access in Dubai New brunches in Dubai: top spots to try From parties to buffets, here's where to check out this weekend Brilliant things to do in Dubai at night What to do once the sun has set in the city
Time Out Dubai
23-05-2025
- Time Out Dubai
Dubai cashless strategy: Why Dubai is moving on from physical money
Dubai big plans to eventually become a cashless city. The Dubai cashless strategy will eventually mean that all payments in the city across the government and private sectors will go digital. The initiative, first announced in October 2024, aims to ditch notes and coins for digital payments throughout the emirate. Cashless transactions are expected to hit around 90 percent of all transactions by 2026, potentially boosting economic growth by over Dhs8 billion annually. Becoming cashless does not mean that money will be abandoned altogether but, instead, payments will be digital with banking apps and credit cards currently the main way to pay without physical notes or coins. The strategy will also prioritise innovations in digital payments, including AI-driven solutions and contactless technologies to offer even more ways to pay. And the latest development by DIFC and Dubai Finance means that there will be specialised workshops to help businesses make the switch. The collab will also bring AI-driven initiatives that add value for workers, tourists and the broader community by adopting digital payments. In the presence of Ahmed bin Saeed, Dubai Finance signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dubai International Financial Centre to support the implementation of the Dubai Cashless Strategy. The agreement focuses on the strategy's three core pillars—governance, innovation, and… — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 16, 2025 The city plans for 100 percent of stores to accept digital payments and for everyone living in the city to be able to pay digitally. That's right, bartering at the souq with notes or rummaging around the back of the sofa for long-lost change could soon be a thing of the past. The Dubai Cashless Strategy was initially revealed late on Tuesday October 1 following a meeting of The Executive Council of Dubai. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, chaired that meeting, outlining that the city aims to make itself one of the top five cashless cities in the world. .@HamdanMohammed chairs @TECofDubai's meeting; approves the Education Strategy 2033, the Real Estate Strategy 2033 and Dubai Cashless Strategy. — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) October 1, 2024 Dubai has also outlined that it wants to make a range of financial technology services available to people in the city. The plan to make the switch to becoming cashless has been brought about with consumers, payment service providers and merchants in mind with the move set to have a wider benefit of convenience and speedier payments throughout the emirate. At the meeting, the city also discussed its overarching real estate strategies, plans for education and the future of transport in Dubai. If you've got some spare pennies and have no idea what to do with them, then check out our guide on what to do with Dhs1 in Dubai. Looking for things to do in Dubai? 112 best things to do in Dubai in 2025 Everything to tick off your Dubai bucket list 50 free things to do in Dubai Feeling the pinch? Enter free things to do Here's how to eat at 10 expensive Dubai restaurants for less Early bird dinners, lunch specials and more
Time Out Dubai
19-05-2025
- Time Out Dubai
36 major Dubai traffic improvement projects coming soon: Roads, rail, flying taxis and more
Dubai is a city that is constantly changing for the better with life-changing projects announced seemingly every week. With so many amazing things to do, there's no wonder that the population is getting bigger and bigger every year. But if you talk to anyone living in the emirate for more than five minutes, then chances are that the conversation will soon turn to Dubai traffic. The city's Roads and Transport Authority is introducing a wide range of measures covering land, water, air and even underground to get traffic to flow more smoothly. From multi-billion dirham road projects and traffic light improvements to flying taxis and a tunnel announced by Elon Musk, the emirate is considering a huge list of plans to solve traffic. Al Fay Street Development The Al Fay Street Development (Credit: Dubai Media Office) Costing an estimated Dhs1.5billion, the RTA has confirmed that Al Fay Street will be expanded and improved with the addition of five major intersections. Stretching from its intersection with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road the works will pass through Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, before reaching Emirates Road. Set to increase the road capacity to 64,400 vehicles per hour, the project is expected to improve traffic for around 600,000 residents in the area. Drivers will notice a huge difference in accessing Dubai Sports City, Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Production City, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Tilal Al Ghaf, Damac Lagoons, The Oasis, and Remraam. Al Mustaqbal Street Announced as part of Dhs3.7 billion plans for Dubai's internal roads, the Al Mustaqbal Street project will see the construction of bridges and tunnels totalling 6,200 metres. The development of Al Mustaqbal Street will increase road capacity from 9,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour. Al Qudra Street project #RTA has awarded the contract for Al Qudra Street Development Project. The project is designed to optimise traffic flow, improve mobility for residents and visitors throughout the emirate, and support Dubai's ongoing urban development and population growth. Costing AED 798… — RTA (@rta_dubai) February 23, 2025 Al Qudra Street is about to have a huge Dhs798 million makeover. Aiming to get you from A to B as quick as possible, the works will cut travel time along the major route from 9.4 minutes to just 2.8 minutes. On Al Qudra Street, the first intersection to be developed will be the one meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, before passing through Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, and Emirates Road. Al Safa Street A project benefitting Al Safa Street will stretch from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Road and cut travel time from 20 minutes to just two minutes for approximately 358,000 residents. This one is part of the city's Dhs16 billion plan to transform some of the most congested roads around. These plans for 2024-2027 were reviewed by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project Al Shindagha Corridor Project (Credit: Government of Dubai) This is one of the most significant large-scale road projects that the RTA is carrying out with work first starting in 2016. It spans Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street and Cairo Street. Estimated to benefit one million people, the total work will span the length of 13 kilometres and serve the areas of Deira and Bur Dubai. The project has now been completed on the Bur Dubai side. Total travel time should be reduced from 104 minutes to 16 minutes by 2030 once the full project has been completed. Bus pooling RTA has launched a new bus pooling initiative to reduce traffic (Credit: Dubai Media Office) A bus pooling initiative has been launched by the RTA with the aim of providing convenient and fast transport around some of the busiest areas in Dubai. The initiative will operate without fixed routes unlike public buses and will have capacity for up to 30 passengers at one time. It aims to eliminate the reliance on private vehicles such as taxis which should, in turn, lead to smoother traffic on the city's roads. Dedicated taxi and bus lanes Source: Dubai Media Office Scheduled for completion between 2025 and 2027, the project will extend Dubai's network of dedicated bus lanes to 20.1 km. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is planning to build dedicated taxi and bus lanes as long as 13.1 km on six key streets including Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, 2nd of December, Al Satwa, Al Nahda, Omar bin Al Khattab, and Naif Streets. Driverless cars and taxis Credit: Supplied A new federal traffic law in the United Arab Emirates means that we are edging ever closer to seeing more driverless cars on our roads. Passed by the UAE cabinet on Monday June 10 2024, the new law expands the rules surrounding vehicle classification on our roads. Dubai aims to eventually have 4,000 driverless taxis on its roads which is believed to ease traffic, cut emissions and lead to fewer accidents. The RTA has signed deals with Uber and Chinese firm Baidu to provide autonomous cabs on our roads by 2026. RTA plans for 25 percent of all transport to be self-driving by 2030 and driverless taxis are a big part of that. Dubai Harbour Big plans for Dubai Harbour (Credit: RTA) The Roads and Transport Authority announced a Dhs431 million project for Dubai Harbour which will see direct exit and entry points introduced to the area. Once completed, the flow of traffic and travel times will reduce from 12 minutes down to just three minutes around Dubai Harbour. It will be capable of handling 6,000 vehicles per hour. The project encompasses the construction of a two-lane bridge in each direction spanning 1,500 metres extending from Sheikh Zayed Road to Dubai Harbour, a unique residential seafront destination, home to the largest marina in the region. Dubai Holding neighbourhood projects Dubai traffic: Journey times will soon improve at Business Bay (Credit: shutterstock) As part of a Dhs6 billion agreement with Dubai Holding, the investment company that looks after some of the biggest developments in the city, and the RTA, traffic will improve significantly in the emirate. There will be new bridges, internal roads and access points which will reduce travel time by between 30 percent and 70 percent on Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Production City and International City. During rush hour and peak travel periods, these are some of the most congested roads in the city. The agreement means that there will be greater capacity on these roads and that moving around will be smoother and quicker. Dubai Loop Elon Musk and his Boring Company will bring the Dubai Loop (Credit: The Boring Company) Elon Musk has announced a major underground transportation project which could finally solve the notorious Dubai traffic. The world's richest man will collaborate with the Dubai Government and the Roads and Transport Authority to develop the 'Dubai Loop' in the city's most densely populated areas. It will initially be 17km long, have 11 stations and the capacity for up to 20,000 passengers per hour. Eventually, it aims to be capable of handling more than 100,000 passengers per hour. It will also feature direct travel to the destination station with no stops and be capable of reaching speeds of up to 160km/h. Dubai Metro Blue Line The Dubai Metro Blue Line will cover a 30km route (Credit: Adobe Express) An entirely new line, the Dubai Metro Blue Line, will join the Red and Green Lines. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has confirmed that work on the Dhs20.5 billion Dubai Metro Blue Line project is underway. The RTA has also revealed that the new Blue Line will start operating in 2029 – the same year as the Metro's 20th anniversary. Once completed, it is expected to serve 200,000 passengers every day with this number rising to 320,000 by 2040. The Blue Line is part of ambitious plans to expand the Dubai Metro to have more than double its current number of stations by 2040. Dubai Walk ضمن خططنا لتطوير جودة الحياة في دبي، اعتمدنا اليوم مشروعا جديداً لتحويل دبي لمدينة صديقة للمشاة .. سيتم تطوير 3300 كم من المسارات الجديدة للمشاة .. وبناء 110 جسور وأنفاق خاصة بالمشاة … ويتضمن المشروع الضخم – الذي يهدف أن يكون المشي جزءا من نمط الحياة في دبي وأسميناه "دبي ووك"… — HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) December 7, 2024 Dubai Walk will be a long-running project with a projected completion date of 2040. It will feature a whopping 6,500km interconnected network, which will mean building 3,300km of new pathways and giving some TLC to 2,300km of existing structures The plan also includes the development of 110 pedestrian bridges and underpasses to connect even more parts of the city together. The project will link to major landmarks, such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina and DIFC, allowing people to hop from one iconic building to the next. Aimed towards pedestrians, this plan should mean less congestion at crossings. Eight-lane bridge across Dubai Creek Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced plans for an eight-lane bridge over Dubai Creek to help ease traffic and reduce travel time. The Dhs786 million project will see the construction of bridges connecting Dubai Islands to Bur Dubai. The construction of the 1425-metre bridge with four lanes in each direction is designed to accommodate 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and expected to benefit around one million people. The huge operation will also see the development of a dedicated cycling and pedestrian path along the bridge, with elevators to aid anyone crossing the bridge. Etihad Rail Etihad Rail has announced plans for a high-speed rail service between Abu Dhabi and Dubai (Credit: Etihad Rail) Set to cut down on road travel between Dubai and the other emirates, Etihad Rail will provide a new passenger transport link that should get fewer people stuck in traffic. The first four passenger stations will be located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah. A high-speed train linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai will eventually mean trips between the two emirates will take only 30 minutes. For all the latest on Etihad Rail make sure to check out our long-form explainer. Flying taxis Credit: Joby Aviation If everything comes together in good time then we could see flying taxis take to Dubai's skies by the end of 2026. Flights will initially be at four different key points of the city and take around 10 minutes to travel between each station. The first stations, also known as vertiports, will be at Downtown Dubai, Dubai International Airport, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. These points were chosen to allow DXB better connection to key hotel spots in the city. Flying taxis will be able to carry a pilot plus four passengers and fly at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour while trips will cost as much as an Uber Black. The General Civil Aviation Authority is currently mapping out air corridors which will determine the exact route that the flying taxis can take to get to each station. Hessa Street The Hessa Street road project is a major one in Dubai (Credit: RTA) The Dhs689 million project will improve four main intersections and widen Hessa Street to four lanes in each direction over a 4.5km stretch. It will revamp four main intersections along Hessa Street – Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street and Al Khail Road. In December 2024, a 1,000 metre bridge opened between Hessa Street and Al Khail Road as part of the project. It will double the number of lanes on Hessa Street in both directions. The project is expected to serve 640,000 people by 2030. Improved road connections in 19 areas The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a project to improve connections throughout 19 areas of the city, and 11.5km of road is about to get an upgrade. Firstly, traffic improvements will be made to each of the areas to ensure they're efficient for drivers. Other aspects including roadside parking, pavements and street lighting will all be improved to assist both drivers and pedestrians. Areas included are Al Khawaneej 1, Al Rashidya, Mirdif and Umm Suqeim 1. Internal roads plan وقال معالي مطر الطاير المدير العام ورئيس مجلس المديرين في هيئة الطرق والمواصلات: إن الخطة الخمسية لرصف الطرق الداخلية تغطي 12 منطقة، تتراوح نسبة التطوير العمراني فيها من 30 إلى 80%، مشيرا إلى أنه سيجري في العام المقبل 2025، تنفيذ طرق داخلية في منطقة ند الشبا الثالثة، ومنطقة… — RTA (@rta_dubai) November 10, 2024 A Dhs3.7 billion internal roads plan was approved in November 2024 which will transform the road network across Dubai. It will see 634km of new roads constructed in the emirate over the next five years. 21 projects across residential, commercial and industrial areas are set to come to life as the city is predicted to grow in the coming years. Latifa bint Hamdan Street This ambitious project will stretch 12,200 meters and is set to serve over a million residents, increasing capacity for 16,000 cars per hour in both directions while slashing travel time significantly. It's another project featured in the overall Main Roads Development Plan for 2024 – 2027. Meydan Road development plan Another project in the pipeline which will form part of the Main Roads Development Plan for 2024 – 2027, the Meydan Road plan involves 10,600 metres of roads, 3,300 metres of bridges and three tunnels totalling 1,500 metres. It will benefit around one million residents and is expected to add capacity for 22,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and reduce travel time from Umm Suqeim Street to the extension of Meydan Street to just four minutes. Multi-use track for bicycles, scooters and pedestrians (Credit:RTA) A huge new Dubai cycling track will connect two neighbourhoods as part of a city-wide project. Announced by the RTA, the route will stretch over 13.5km, meaning you'll be able to pedal all the way from Al Sufouh to Dubai Hills. Part of the Hessa Street project, the track will allow for bicycles, scooters and pedestrians to travel easier without using a car — improving wellbeing and congestion in Dubai. Sharing the futuristic designs, RTA confirmed that both the bridges will be over 500 metres long with separate lanes for bicycles and pedestrians, and will connect to Dubai Internet City metro station. Nad Al Sheba project (Credit: RTA) New entry and exit points at Meydan Street in Nad Al Sheba will lead to significant reductions in traffic in a regularly congested area of Dubai. The RTA changes, announced on Wednesday December 25, are in effect at Meydan Street and on Latifa bint Hamdan Street. The new entry and exit point at Meydan Street will reduce travel time for vehicles in both directions by up to 60 percent. New access and exit points at Al Warqa'a Credit: Dubai Media Office The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled plans for a major road project that will drastically cut travel times and enhance connectivity. With additional entrance and exit points directly from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, this project aims to reduce Al Warqa traffic times from a lengthy 20 minutes to just 3.5 minutes — an impressive 80 percent decrease. The Al Warqa traffic project, expected to be completed in 2025, will enhance the internal road network over eight kilometres, accommodating an additional 5,000 vehicles per hour. Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Credit: Dubai Media Office This Dhs600 million project is aimed at easing traffic congestion in Oud Metha. The initiative is part of the Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project, which will enhance connectivity between Al Asayel Street and Al Khail Road via Al Nawras Street, and will add additional exits to Oud Metha and Al Nawras Streets. The development plan includes the construction of four major intersections, 4,300 meters of bridges and 14 kilometres of new roads. It's designed to serve several key areas, including Zabeel, Al Jaddaf, Oud Metha, Umm Hurair and locations such as Latifa Hospital and Al Wasl Club. One of the project's main features is the enhancement of Oud Metha Street, increasing its vehicle capacity from 10,400 to 15,600 cars per hour— that's a 50 percent rise. Pod rail How the Floc Duo Rail system could look in Dubai (Credit: The futuristic-looking Floc Duo Rail system has been unveiled at the RTA's stand at the high-tech GITEX Global Conference in 2024. For those of us who don't speak high-tech language, this essentially means self-driving electric pods which will allow a lot of people to move freely around the city. The RTA says the benefits of the system are that it is cost-efficient, has a low carbon footprint, is scalable across the city and will reduce congestion on Dubai roads. Once brought in place, Dubai will become the first city in the world with this kind of transport system. Rail Bus Dubai Rail Bus plans have been revealed (Credit: RTA) The Rail Bus is another project announced at the World Governments Summit 2025. Pods will be capable of handling 40 passengers at a time and reach an operational speed of 100km/h. Vehicles will be solar-powered, 3D-printed and optimised for urban landscapes with vehicles set to be aerodynamic to allow them to move quicker. This one will be aimed towards enhancing first and last mile connectivity in urban areas and integrate with the existing Dubai transport network. Remote work and flexible hours (Credit: CanvaPro) This one is less of a project but definitely one you need to know about, the Dubai Government and RTA have argued the case for remote work and flexible hours to reduce road traffic at peak hours. The survey findings are part of the Dubai Executive Council's recently approved Traffic Flow Plan which aims to make traffic more efficient and ease mobility throughout the emirate. Two surveys looked at how slight tweaks in policy related to how the private and public sectors structure the working day in Dubai could lead to a cut in traffic. Seaglider Seaglider bosses say that it will be quicker than a helicopter and cheaper than taking a taxi between Dubai and Abu Dhabi (Credit: REGENT) The seaglider promises to connect Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just half an hour at a cost of approximately Dhs165. This would make it as quick as a helicopter and around cheaper than taking a taxi between the two largest cities in the UAE. It's an all-electric vehicle that combines the speed of an aircraft with the accessibility of a boat and is designed for travel between coastal cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Seagliders can float at the dock at a low speed to pick up and drop off passengers and goods before taking off out the water with the aim of avoiding waves and reducing drag. It will then fly low over open waters at a speed of up to 180mph, within one wingspan of the water's surface, for the majority of its journey. Trackless tram Sheikh Hamdan has directed the RTA to explore the implementation of a trackless tram system. Credit: Announced in 2024, the trackless tram operates on virtual tracks and offers a solution to urban transport challenges. Powered entirely by electricity, the trackless tram system is not only eco-friendly but also more cost-effective and quicker to construct than traditional tram systems. Each tram consists of three carriages and can accommodate up to 300 passengers, making it an efficient option for city commuting. With a top speed of 70 km/h and an operational speed ranging from 25 to 60 km/h, the tram is designed for both performance and safety. A single charge allows the tram to travel up to 100 kilometres, enhancing its viability as a sustainable public transport option. Trade Centre Roundabout Credit: Dubai Media Office Traffic flow will improve from Sheikh Zayed Road towards 2nd December Street and from Al Mustaqbal Street towards Sheikh Zayed Road southbound from the roundabout. It means that delays will be cut from 12 minutes to 90 seconds at the notoriously busy Dubai World Trade Centre intersection. Traffic signal improvements (Credit: Canva Pro) The new project is already underway and will use AI to make Dubai's traffic signals super efficient (meaning your journey is quick and easy). Using a system called UTC-UX Fusion, the super-smart tech will be introduced at all major traffic intersections in Dubai. Hoping to be completed in the first half of 2026, these savvy new signals can predict future traffic, and adapt signal timings to mean that you can glide through on a green light much quicker. Truck ban towards Sharjah The truck ban has been brought in to reduce congestion (Credit: Dubai Media Office) Trucks will no longer be allowed on Emirates Road, specifically the section between Al Awir Street and Sharjah, during evening peak hours from 5.30pm and 8pm. It is hoped that the restricted movement of trucks will improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and increase road capacity for private vehicles. In April of 2024, the RTA began rolling out a wider truck ban on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road during morning and evening peak hours. This restriction on movement will now be extended to Emirates Road towards Sharjah. Umm Suqeim Street road improvements (Credit: X/RTA) A Dhs332 million contract awarded to improve the Umm Suqeim Street Project was announced in January 2024. It will extend the intersection with Al Khail Road to the intersection with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. This will include the construction of two bridges, with three lanes in each direction and three pedestrian bridges. Once completed, it should have a domino effect on other areas in the city with traffic times predicted to reduce by around a third between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. Umm Suqeim – Al Qudra Corridor One of the biggest projects in the plans is already well underway, as phase one Umm Suqeim-Al Qudra Corridor is 50 percent complete. This project, which will span 16km, will construct bridges and tunnels as well as upgrading four key junctions, which will see travel time reduced from 46 minutes to just 11. Widening entrances to Mall of the Emirates (Credit: Mall of the Emirates) Cutting travel times around Mall of the Emirates, a new 300-metre bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road, which offers direct access to the Mall of the Emirates, was unveiled on Sunday January 12, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing development and expansion of the area. What was once a 10-minute journey from Sheikh Zayed Road now takes one minute for motorists coming from the Abu Dhabi direction. This development is part of a larger Dh165 million project aimed at improving traffic flow around Al Barsha, which has been under construction since mid-2024. Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the project includes resurfacing works in Al Barsha that will be ongoing on older sections of the road, as well as improvements to the bus station and improving pedestrian and cycle lanes. Dubai nostalgia 8 pictures of what Global Village used to look like from 90s car park to today The history of Dubai's favourite family day out 19 pictures showing what DXB Airport used to look like From 200 passengers a day to Emirates launch 20 pictures that show how much Dubai has changed from the 1950s to today Take a look at these unrecognisable photos of the city
