175 billion dirhams in Dubai investments to develop the road network and transportation system over the past two decades

The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai revealed that the emirate’s government invested 175 billion dirhams to develop the infrastructure of the road network and transportation system in Dubai during the past two decades.

During the celebration it organized on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of its founding, in the presence of executive directors, department directors, and employees, the Authority reviewed its efforts and achievements and touched on five axes that it will focus on during the coming years, the most important of which is attracting future talents and skills, and qualifying national competencies in the fields of artificial intelligence, data analysis, and autonomous transportation systems.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Authority, confirmed that the Authority was accomplished thanks to the directives and support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai (may God protect him), and the supervision and follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, An integrated infrastructure, including a road network and a mass transportation system, has enhanced Dubai’s global competitiveness and improved the quality of life in the emirate, making Dubai the best city for living in the world.

He praised the efforts of the male and female employees who embodied the spirit of one team in transforming visions into qualitative achievements that strengthened Dubai’s global leadership. He added that the Authority has completed over the past two decades strategic projects that have changed the landscape in the emirate, the most important of which are the Dubai Metro and Tram projects, with a length of 100 kilometers, and a road network that is considered the best in the world, with a length of more than 25 thousand kilometers – accommodating more than 3.5 million vehicles per day, and bicycle paths along the length of the road. More than 560 kilometers, while the number of vehicle bridges and tunnels increased from 129 bridges and tunnels in 2006 to 1,050 bridges and tunnels by the end of 2024, and the number of pedestrian bridges and tunnels increased from only 26 bridges and tunnels in 2006 to 177 bridges and tunnels in 2024 (including metro and tram bridges and tunnels), in addition to providing a fleet of more than 1,300 buses. Equipped with the latest international technologies and specifications, There are more than 31,000 taxis and limousines, in addition to more than 130 smart digital services that are constantly evolving to meet the needs of residents and visitors.

He stressed that the great development in mass transportation contributed to the increase in the number of passengers from 220 million passengers in 2006, to more than 747 million passengers in 2024, at a rate of more than two million passengers per day, and the percentage of the contribution of mass transportation trips to population movement increased, from 6% in 2006, to 21.6% in 2024.

He explained that the economic impact study of the establishment of the Authority, conducted by McKinsey International, revealed that the Authority’s projects over twenty years achieved revenues worth 150 billion dirhams, in addition to reducing the cost of fuel and time by the equivalent of 319 billion dirhams. The size of the Authority’s contribution to the emirate’s gross domestic product over 20 years reached 156 billion dirhams, and the value of real estate increased as a result of road and transportation projects to reach a value of 158 billion dirhams, an increase. It reaches about 16%, and it is expected that the rate of return on internal investment in the Authority’s projects will reach 5%.

He pointed out that the Authority has developed its systems and services in the past two decades in accordance with the best international practices, and its efforts and cumulative experience have contributed to enabling its activities to grow and transform into companies listed on the Dubai Financial Market, where four commercial companies were established, with a market value exceeding 80 billion dirhams, namely Salik, Parkin, Dubai Taxi, and Mada Media.

He stressed that the coming years will witness the completion of qualitative projects, the most important of which is the Dubai Metro Blue Line project, with a length of 30 km, and includes 14 stations, including three transitional stations, including the largest transitional station for the metro network, with an area exceeding 44 thousand square metres, serving 6 vital areas, with an estimated population of one million people in 2040, and the “Dubai Walk” pedestrian path development project, which will contribute to transforming Dubai into a friendly city. For pedestrians throughout the year, in addition to implementing strategic road projects that contribute to enhancing flow and connecting various areas of the emirate with high efficiency, the most important of which are projects to develop the streets of Umm Suqeim, Al Wasl, Jumeirah and Sheikh Zayed Road.

He noted that Dubai is preparing for a new phase of sustainable mobility in 2026, through two global events, namely the operation of self-driving taxis, and the launch of the air taxi service, which will contribute to strengthening Dubai’s global leadership in the field of future mobility.

He expressed his thanks to the strategic partners from agencies and institutions in the government and private sectors, for their efforts and cooperation with the Authority throughout its journey.

The ceremony included the showing of a film documenting the Authority’s achievements over the past two decades, and then Mattar Al Tayer honored the founding employees who contributed with their contributions over twenty years.

During the ceremony, the commemorative version of the Nol card and the commemorative coin were launched, which were specially designed to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Authority’s founding.

The comprehensive study conducted by the global company McKinsey on the economic impact of the Roads and Transport Authority, in conjunction with its celebration of the 20th anniversary of its founding, revealed that the authority’s total investments in infrastructure development projects for the road and transport network, which from 2005 until this year amounted to about 175 billion dirhams, achieved cumulative revenues amounting to 150 billion dirhams, of which 18 billion dirhams were financial returns from offering companies in the Dubai market. Financially, the Authority’s cash returns are expected to exceed 254 billion dirhams by 2050.