Dubai Metro will run non-stop for 43 hours on New Year’s Eve as phased road closures begin across Downtown Dubai from 4pm/ Image: RTA
As Dubai prepares for one of the world’s busiest New Year’s Eve celebrations, authorities are rolling out an expansive, tightly coordinated transport and traffic plan designed to handle millions of journeys into and out of the city’s main event zones. With Downtown Dubai, the Burj Khalifa area and key arterial roads expected to see extraordinary footfall, the focus this year is on extended public transport hours, phased road closures, and real-time traffic management to keep the city moving as 2026 begins.
Extended Metro operations and public transport surge
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has confirmed that the Dubai Metro Red and Green Lines, along with the Dubai Tram, will operate continuously for 43 hours to support New Year’s Eve demand. According to details shared with Khaleej Times, Metro services will run from 5am on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, until 11.59pm on Thursday, January 1, 2026, while the Dubai Tram will operate from 6am on December 31 until 1am on Friday, January 2.The extended schedule is intended to ease pressure on roads around Downtown Dubai and major celebration venues. Extra services will run at high-traffic stations, including Emirates Towers, Financial Centre, Business Bay and Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. Hussain Al Banna, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the RTA, told Khaleej Times that the authority is fully prepared to manage traffic and transport operations during the celebrations, particularly in the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai areas, in coordination with the Events Security Committee and strategic partners.Public transport usage continues to rise year on year during New Year’s Eve. RTA figures show more than 2.5 million passengers used public transport during the 2025 celebrations, up from 2.29 million in 2024, underscoring growing reliance on mass transit during major citywide events.To support the surge, more than 14,000 taxis, 18,000 limousine and luxury transport vehicles, and over 1,300 buses will be deployed across the city.
Phased road closures and traffic management
Road closures around major event zones will begin at 4pm on New Year’s Eve and will expand gradually until 11pm, as authorities work to prevent congestion and ensure public safety. According to RTA updates, affected roads include Al Asayel Street, Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Burj Khalifa Street, Lower and Upper Financial Centre Roads, Al Mustaqbal Street, Al Sukook Street, and Sheikh Zayed Road.More detailed staging has also been announced. Traffic signals across the affected areas will be centrally controlled, while smart variable message signs will provide real-time updates on closures and alternative routes. Authorities have urged motorists to plan ahead, avoid Downtown Dubai where possible, and rely on public transport.Pedestrian safety measures will be reinforced throughout the event period, with crowd movement closely monitored around key access points.
Unified control, staffing and parking capacity
Transport and security operations will be coordinated from a Unified Control Centre, bringing together teams from the RTA, Dubai Police, Civil Defence and Dubai Ambulance Services. According to Khaleej Times, advanced systems including the iTraffic platform and big data analytics will be used to predict traffic volumes and support rapid decision-making as crowds build across the city.More than 5,500 RTA employees will be deployed in the field, supported by ten control centres and 26 traffic diversion vehicles positioned at strategic locations.Parking capacity around Downtown Dubai has also been expanded for the event. Approximately 20,000 parking spaces will be available in the Burj Khalifa area, with an additional 8,000 spaces at metro stations. Overflow parking will be provided at locations including Al Wasl Club and Al Kifaf.Authorities have once again urged residents and visitors to follow official instructions, use public transport wherever possible, and allow extra travel time as the city welcomes in 2026 under one of its most extensive New Year’s Eve operational plans to date. Go to Source
