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Dubai Metro to run non-stop for 43 hours as RTA announces New Year’s Eve road closures
Road closures around major event zones will begin at 4pm on New Year’s Eve and will gradually expand until 11pm to prevent congestion and ensure public safety
- PUBLISHED: Fri 26 Dec 2025, 11:43 AM UPDATED: Fri 26 Dec 2025, 8:26 PM
- By:
- Sahim Salim
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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced extended Dubai Metro operations and phased road closures across Downtown Dubai and surrounding areas as part of its traffic and transport plan for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Dubai Metro Red and Green Lines, along with the Dubai Tram, will operate continuously for 43 hours to support the expected surge in passenger movement. Metro services will run from 5am on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, until 11.59pm on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Dubai Tram services will operate from 6am on Wednesday, December 31, until 1am on Friday, January 2.
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Hussain Al Banna, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA, said the authority is fully prepared to manage traffic flow and public transport operations during the celebrations, particularly in the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai areas, in coordination with the Events Security Committee and strategic partners.
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Road closures around major event zones will begin at 4pm on New Year’s Eve and will gradually expand until 11pm to prevent congestion and ensure public safety. 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.
Traffic signals across the area will be centrally controlled, while smart variable message signs will provide real-time updates on closures and alternative routes. Pedestrian safety measures will also be reinforced throughout the event period.
Watch the following video shared by RTA that shows planned closures and traffic measures that will be put in place around Dubai on New Year's Eve:
Joint teams from RTA, Dubai Police, Civil Defence, and Dubai Ambulance Services will operate from the Unified Control Centre to monitor traffic conditions and manage transport operations in real time. Advanced technologies, including the iTraffic system and big data analytics, will be used to predict traffic volumes and support operational decision-making.
Al Banna noted that public transport usage continues to rise during New Year’s Eve celebrations, with more than 2.5 million passengers recorded in 2025, up from 2.29 million in 2024, reflecting year-on-year growth and the effectiveness of Dubai’s integrated traffic management strategy.
To support the extended operations, more than 5,500 RTA employees will be deployed in the field, alongside ten control centres and 26 traffic diversion vehicles operating across key locations.
Parking capacity around Downtown Dubai has been expanded for the event, with around 20,000 spaces available in the Burj Khalifa area. An additional 8,000 parking spaces will be available at metro stations, supported by overflow parking at locations including Al Wasl Club and Al Kifaf.
Public transport services have been significantly reinforced, with more than 14,000 taxis, over 18,000 limousine and luxury transport vehicles, and more than 1,300 buses deployed across the city.
As Associate Editor, Sahim Salim helps tell the UAE story like no one else does — and leads a team of reporters that asks the questions to get news and headlines that matter.