RTA marks 20 years of transforming Dubai’s transport sector with AED 175 billion in infrastructure investments and future-ready mobility solutions.
DUBAI: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) celebrated its 20th anniversary on October 26, honouring two decades of transformative progress that has redefined Dubai’s transport sector, infrastructure, and global mobility leadership. Since its inception in 2005, the RTA has become a pillar of Dubai’s development, with over AED 175 billion invested in road and transport infrastructure.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the RTA, highlighted that under the guidance of the UAE leadership, RTA has consistently delivered integrated and sustainable solutions that elevated Dubai’s standing among global cities. Key projects such as Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, smart traffic systems, and extensive road networks now serve over 3.5 million vehicles daily and have attracted billions in foreign investment.
RTA’s achievements include 25,000 lane-kilometres of roads, over 1,000 bridges and tunnels, and a cycling network of 560 kilometres. Public transport ridership has soared from 220 million in 2006 to more than 747 million in 2024. The share of public transport in commuting rose from 6% to 21.6% in the same period. These efforts have saved an estimated 9.5 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions, enhanced travel time, and improved the quality of life for Dubai’s residents.
The authority employs over 400 Emirati engineers and specialists across critical fields, including AI, smart systems, autonomous mobility, and data science. Investment in local talent, particularly youth leadership, is at the heart of RTA’s sustainability goals.
RTA’s economic contributions are equally impressive: AED 156 billion added to Dubai’s GDP and AED 150 billion in cumulative financial returns. Four government-backed companies—Salik, Parkin, Dubai Taxi, and Mada Media—have a combined market value of AED 80 billion, showcasing successful transformation into economic drivers.
Looking ahead, RTA has set five strategic pillars: future-ready talent, AI-integrated infrastructure, sustainable and autonomous transport, support for start-ups, and enhanced private sector partnerships. Major upcoming projects include the Dubai Metro Blue Line and the launch of autonomous and aerial taxis by 2026.
The celebration concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative nol card and coin, honouring the authority’s journey of innovation, inclusivity and impact on Dubai’s rise as a global smart city.
