Catch up on the UAE’s biggest news this week — from new holidays and Emirates ID updates to Dubai tourism growth, real estate tax analysis and more
RTA
Latest in RTA
Dubai roads
Dubai widens Sheikh Zayed Road near Umm Al Sheif exit to ease traffic congestion
Dubai RTA has widened Sheikh Zayed Road near Umm Al Sheif exit, adding a seventh lane to boost capacity 16 per cent and ease evening congestion
Dubai tourism
Dubai announces new rules to boost tourist transport
Dubai RTA has issued a new regulation for tourist transport, enhancing service quality, safety and visitor experience to support the emirate’s tourism growth
Dubai roads
Dubai builds 103km of new roads across 8 districts to slash travel times
Dubai has built 103km of new roads across eight districts, with RTA projects set to ease congestion, boost capacity and slash travel times for residents
Dubai Traffic
How Dubai uses AI traffic lights to slash delays by 37%
Dubai RTA upgrades 300 traffic signals to AI-powered UTC-UX Fusion system by 2026, cutting delays up to 37 per cent and advancing the city’s smart mobility vision
Dubai free parking
Dubai announces free parking on Friday, September 5
RTA announces free parking and Dubai public transport timings
Dubai
Dubai RTA opens Old Dubai Souq, Al Sabkha marine transport stations on Creek
The stations serve the marine transport network as part of RTA’s plan to upgrade marine transport facilities across Dubai’s development sectors
customers
RTA Customer Happiness Centres to provide digital and manual assistance
Centres in Umm Ramool and Al Barsha now offer customers fully automated services, as well as the presence of dedicated service advisors
Dubai Traffic
Dubai launches Al Thanya Street upgrades to cut congestion near Sheikh Zayed Road
Dubai’s RTA is upgrading Al Thanya Street with new signals, walkways and junctions, easing congestion and improving safety near Sheikh Zayed Road by September 2025
Branded residences
UAE holiday, petrol price changes, tax update, Saudi property reforms, new Kuwait laws – 10 things you missed this week
From a new UAE holiday and petrol price changes to a significant tax update, Saudi property reforms and new Kuwait laws — here are 10 big Gulf business stories you may have missed this week
Dubai Bus
Dubai RTA to launch 5 new bus routes and upgrade 9 others from August 29
Dubai RTA to launch 5 new bus routes and upgrade 9 others from August 29, 2025, boosting connectivity across the city’s growing transport network
Dubai roads
Dubai RTA upgrades traffic at 27 schools, improving flow by up to 40 per cent
Dubai RTA completes traffic upgrades at 27 schools in summer 2025, boosting safety and parking by 90 per cent and improving traffic flow by up to 40 per cent
Dubai International Airport
Dubai to improve airport traffic with expanded Terminal 1 bridge at DXB
Dubai RTA awards contract to expand Terminal 1 bridge at DXB, boosting capacity by 33% to 5,600 vehicles per hour and easing passenger access
Dubai Schools
Dubai RTA sets strict safety rules for school buses as new academic year begins
RTA calls for full compliance with health, safety, and traffic rules as thousands of students return to schools across Dubai
Dubai roads
Dubai traffic: RTA adds new lane to cut Nad Al Hamar travel time by 27%
Dubai roadworks to slash congestion and link Ras Al Khor Road and Nad Al Hamar Intersection
dubai taxis
Dubai taxi trips hit 60m in H1 2025 as passenger numbers top 103m
More passengers are taking more taxi journeys in Dubai as sector flourishes
AI
Dubai traffic: How the RTA is using AI to slash congestion and boost road efficiency
RTA launches new AI-powered traffic monitoring system to improve traffic flows across Dubai