Dubai beefs up transport system to serve 25 million visitors to Expo 2020

Dubai is building an advanced transport system through several projects that will serve the expected 25 million visitors of Expo 2020 Dubai.

"Expo 2020 Dubai is cooperating with government institutions to provide a unique transportation experience to all visitors," Ahmed Al Khateeb, chief executive of Real Estate Development at Expo 2020 Dubai, told UAE state news agency Wam.

"Plans have been drafted according to the highest international standards, to provide visitors with a leading mass transportation system, which includes the Dubai Metro, buses, and taxis, as well as private cars."

Mr Al Khateeb added that the expo’s three main entrances and the Dubai Metro entrance, as well as the availability of 30,000 parking lots, will help smooth entry and departure to and from the site. Expo 2020, which will take place under the slogan "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future", is expected to attract 25 million visitors during its six-month duration and the location is designed to accommodate 300,000 people at any one time.

Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, chief executive of the Public Transport Agency and chairman of the Readiness Committee for hosting Expo 2020 Dubai, said that the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) drafted a detailed plan to provide safe and easy transportation to Expo 2020 visitors.

The plan includes the implementation of "Route 2020", a 15 kilometre extension of the Red Line of Dubai Metro to Expo 2020, to transport 44,000 people in both directions every hour, he added.

Mr Bahrozyan said the RTA completed its airport road project to increase the road’s capacity, to handle the expected 95 million passengers travelling through Dubai International Airport in 2020. Also, the development of nine-km-long Al Yalayis road with a capacity of four tracks in each direction, while work is under way to develop the roads leading to Expo 2020, which cost more than Dh3 billion.

He also said that the RTA will have available 724 buses to transport passengers from specific stations in Dubai and other parts of the country, at the rate of one bus every 15 minutes.

The emirate's economy is estimated to grow 2.1 per cent in 2019 and 3.8 per cent in 2020 driven by the Expo 2020, which is expected to contribute to tourism, telecommunications, financial services, transportation, real estate and retail, the Department of Economic Development said in June.