The Dubai Metro will be operating for longer during the COP28 summit, which is being held at the Expo2020 site, for the duration of the summit which runs from November 30th to December 12th 2023. This is to encourage participants to use a more sustainable form of transport to align with the aims of the conference.
The metro will open at 5am on all days of the conference and will close at 1am. Participants can get to the conference from the Expo 2020 Metro station.
The press release from the RTA reads as follows:
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the main route partner of the Conference of the Parties (COP28), has mapped out a comprehensive participation plan in the conference, which will take place at Expo Dubai from November 30th to December 12th, 2023 in coordination with the Office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change of the UAE and Expo Dubai. RTA will engage in diverse initiatives in both the Blue Zone (official delegations) and the Green Zone (businesses and the public), as well as at the Conference Of Youth (COY18). RTA will also provide environmentally friendly transportation means for accessing the event site and internal mobility as well.
RTA’s participation focuses on the success of this global event, which reaffirms the UAE’s position and its global capability to coordinate efforts in addressing one of the most pressing concerns of humanity, which is climate change. RTA’s participation also aims to highlight the UAE’s efforts and achievements in environmental protection that were achieved with the vision and thought of its leadership.
Technical Plans for Mobility Management
In coordination with the relevant parties, RTA developed technical plans for mobility management during the event using various transit means such as the Dubai Metro, Dubai Bus, and taxis at the event site. Plans also cover managing and designating service points as well as traffic movement on the surrounding roads and intersections. Alternative plans were also set to address potential scenarios of traffic congestion to ensure continuous traffic flow throughout the event days.
To foster climate action and cut emissions, RTA issued exclusive special edition nol cards to delegates of the COP28. This initiative aimed to promote and facilitate the use of public transportation in Dubai at no cost during the conference.
Metro Timings
Attendees of the COP 28 can access the venue by using the Dubai Metro to the Expo 2020 Metro Station. Dubai metro is the most environmentally sustainable option and the easiest way to reach the event. RTA has extended the Metro operating hours from 5:00 am to 1:00 am the following day during the days of COP28. Additionally, with multi-level car parking available for free at stations such as Centrepoint, Etisalat by e&, and Jebel Ali Station for public transport users.
Buses and Taxis
The internal transit plan includes the deployment of 67 biofuel-powered buses, complemented by 10 electric buses, to serve visitors at 4 stops within Expo City Dubai.
RTA also opened new bus routes to lift delegates and organisers to key locations such as JBR, Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta, and other key areas in the Emirate to ease their mobility to destinations beyond the operational hours of the metro.
Dubai’s transportation sector boasts a fleet of over 10,000 hybrid taxis and 1,000 electric luxury vehicles. The public can hail these vehicles within Expo City through the Hala Taxi platform, while luxury vehicle users can opt for services via platforms like Uber, Careem, and Yango. 4 ranks (stops) have been designated for those vehicles within Expo City located at strategic entrances: Opportunity Gate, Mobility Gate, Sustainability Gate, and the Metro Gate.
RTA’s technical plan focused on identifying and managing service points and traffic flow of various transit means on the surrounding roads, public parking, and intersections. RTA has also developed alternative plans to address potential traffic congestion scenarios, ensuring safe and smooth transport throughout the event.
Furthermore, RTA installed over 100 directional road signs to assist visitors and participants in navigating their way to the conference site.
Zero-Emissions
RTA is participating in the conference with several initiatives, including Zero-Emission Public Transport Strategy 2050, which will be presented in coordination with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment at the UAE pavilion’s Blue Zone. This presentation will visually highlight the key aspects of the strategy and promote the use of sustainable transportation methods.
RTA will have a dedicated stand in the Green Zone of the conference to explain to participants and address their enquiries about the key projects including ‘self-driving transport strategy,’ ‘future aerial taxi vertiports,’ ‘first and last mile strategy,’ diverse mass transport and soft mobility means, sustainable transport, and ‘zero-emission public transport strategy 2050’.
Youth and Climate
RTA will also have a visual presentation at the 18th United Nation Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY18), dedicating a session to present to the young participants highlighting topics related to green commuting in public transport and taxis as well as innovative initiatives and plans to reduce emissions from public transport buses and taxis in Dubai.
In support of youth initiatives in climate action, RTA issued complimentary pre-charged nol cards to young participants of the conference. This gesture aims to encourage them to use public transportation in Dubai at no cost throughout the Conference of Youth.
Way To Go
RTA invites participants and visitors of COP28 to use public transportation to access the conference venue at Expo Dubai under the theme ‘Way To Go’ It seeks to encourage their engagement in climate protection by choosing public transportation for their journey, enjoying the sights of Dubai, and contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions. This way, their participation in achieving the conference’s goals begins before their actual arrival at the event.
Routes
Conference visitors can obtain a ‘nol’ card and download the ‘S’hail’ app to identify the easiest and fastest route to reach the conference venue. By using Dubai Metro and RTA’s electric buses, considered the most sustainable means of transportation within the conference. They can ride the taxi operators environmentally friendly electric vehicles fleets and contribute to smooth and more eco-friendly journeys.