RTA to build 40 new air-conditioned delivery rider rest areas

Image courtesy: Government of Dubai Media Office

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) plans to build 40 air-conditioned rest areas for delivery riders in key areas across the emirate to enhance road safety and foster wellbeing.

RTA said by providing the facilities, it seeks to offer comfortable amenities to delivery riders while waiting for new orders.

The initiative is expected to increase delivery riders’ overall happiness rating and encourage them to comply with traffic laws and regulations.

The exterior of the rest areas was designed to reduce the impact of sunlight and ensure proper insulation without compromising the view.

The transport authority said each rest area accommodates up to 10 people, depending on the district and has ample parking spaces for motorcycles adjacent to the facility.

The facilities are air-conditioned and equipped with a snack dispenser, water cooler and mobile phone charging station.

RTA fosters traffic safety

“Traffic safety is a top priority and RTA is keen to implement the traffic safety strategy in place for the emirate aimed to rank Dubai as a global leader in traffic safety. The construction of these rest areas is part of RTA’s efforts to provide a proper working environment for delivery riders, given the substantial growth of the delivery business in recent years to meet the public demand for goods,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of RTA.

RTA has charted out an integrated structure for the delivery market to uphold the quality of services provided to the public including a professional certification of delivery riders.

“In 2022, RTA launched the Delivery Service Excellence Awards to nurture competitiveness among delivery companies and riders in enhancing traffic safety, complying with traffic regulations, and achieving excellence and quality in customer service,” adds Al Tayer.

Rest stations locations

Meanwhile, Al Tayer said the selection of rest area locations for delivery riders is based on a thorough analysis of operational data and the identification of the highest demand areas in coordination with delivery companies.

According to the study commissioned by the authority, several rest areas are planned in Arabian Ranches, International City, Business Bay, Al Quoz, Al Karama, Al Satwa, Al Jaddaf, and Mirdif as well as other districts of the emirate.

“RTA has already completed the construction of two rest areas in Al Barsha and the remaining ones are scheduled for construction in three phases. All rest areas are expected to be operational by July 2024,” added Al Tayer.

The initiative to build rest areas for delivery riders is part of the authority’s broader strategy to regulate and enhance the safety of the delivery sector, which has seen huge growth in recent years.

The number of companies offering motorcycle delivery services in Dubai grew to 2,891 in 2022, a 40 per cent increase compared to a year earlier.

Read: Dubai announces programme to certify delivery riders