Dubai’s RTA announces Ramadan bus, metro, paid parking times

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced changes to offices hours, paid parking, bus and metro timings for the holy month of Ramadan.

Most RTA offices will open from 9:00am to 2:00pm from Sunday to Thursday with the Al Tawar, Al Awir, Al Manara, Deira, Al Barsha and Al Kafaf Centres open until 5:00pm.

Metro stations on the green and red lines will operate from 5:00am to 12:00am from Saturday to Wednesday, 5:00am to 1:00am on Thursday and 9:00am to 1:00am on Friday.

Main bus stations like Gold Souq will operate services from 4:25am to 12:02am and Al Ghubaiba Station will be in service from 4:16am to 12:31am.

Sub-stations, such as Satwa, will operate from 5:00am to 11:59pm except for Route C01, which will operate around-the-clock.

Al Qusais Station will offer bus services from 4:20am to 11:31pm and Al Quoz Industrial Station will be in operation from 6:00am to 11:35pm. Jebel Ali Station will operate from 5:40am to 11:30pm.

Metro Link Bus stations at Rashidiya, Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta, Burj Khalifa, Abu Hail and Etisalat will be in service from 5:00am to 12:20am. Feeders buses will synchronised with metro journeys.

Inter-city bus stations and commercial coaches at main stations such as Al Ghubaiba will be operating around-the-clock to Sharjah (Jubail) and Abu Dhabi service will be running from 4:40am up to 12:05am.

For a list of other bus timings see the RTA website. 

Water taxis will operate from 9:00am until 10:00pm.

Meanwhile, paid parking fees will apply from 8:00am until 6:00pm and 8:00pm until 12:00am. This will mean free parking across the city around sunset between 6:00pm and 8:00pm.

Exceptions include multi-level parking lots, where fees will be applicable 24/7, and Tecom, where parking will be free after 6:00pm.

Abu Dhabi made similar announcements for Ramadan parking and buses earlier this week.

Read: Abu Dhabi adjusts paid parking, bus times for Ramadan

The UAE’s moon sighting committee determined Thursday, May 17 would mark the stat of Ramadan.

Read: UAE declares Ramadan start date

Both public and private sector staff will work shorter days for the duration of Ramadan as many employees are fasting.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said on Tuesday that private sector establishments, institutions and companies would have to reduce normal work hours by two hours for the holy month.

Read: UAE announces reduced Ramadan work hours for private sector

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources announced public sector working hours will be 9:00am to 2:00pm.

Read: UAE authority announces Ramadan work hours

Schools hours will also be shorter there are restrictions on eating and drinking in public and in offices during the daytime.

Read: Ramadan FAQ: Everything you need to know about the holy month

Read: Dubai announces shorter school hours for Ramadan

Oman was the first country in the Gulf to announce when it will mark the beginning of Ramadan.

The sultanate’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs said last Monday that the holy month would fall on Thursday, May 17 due to concerns the moon would not be visible nationwide on Tuesday evening next week.

Read: Oman announces Ramadan start date

Astronomers in Kuwait and Sharjah have also indicated May 17 will be the likely start date for the month of Ramadan.

In March, Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences said Ramadan would likely fall on May 17 with Eid Al Fitr, marking the end of the month, expected on June 15.

Read: Ramadan likely to begin on May 17