Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has released special operating hours for Metro, Tram, public buses, marine transport, parking and customer-service centres over the 54th Eid Al Etihad (Union Day) holiday on 1–2 December. Smart Customer Happiness Centres in Umm Ramool, Deira, Al Barsha, Al Twar and RTA HQ will remain open 24/7, while traditional service centres close for two days and reopen on 3 December.
The advisory is crucial for international assignees and business travellers arriving during the long weekend, as the Metro is often the fastest way to reach key free-zone districts and airport terminals when holiday traffic clogs Sheikh Zayed Road. Paid-parking zones will operate under holiday-schedule tariffs, and technical-inspection centres for vehicle registration will be closed—information mobility managers should relay to employees planning car-lease renewals or resident-permit vehicle testing.
![Dubai RTA Publishes Public-Transport Timings for 54th Union Day Holiday]()
RTA is also encouraging the use of Nol cards and the S’hail journey-planner app to reduce queuing at ticket machines, an important tip for new arrivals unfamiliar with Dubai’s cashless transport ecosystem. Limousine and taxi fleets will operate normal hours but may see surge pricing during fireworks and parade times.
For corporate relocation teams, the update provides a planning window to adjust airport transfers, temporary housing check-ins and city-orientation tours. Landlords and HR departments should advise newly arrived staff that some government offices—including immigration typing centres—also close for Union Day, potentially delaying Emirates ID registration and residence-visa stamping.
The RTA reminded residents that Union Day celebrations draw large crowds to Downtown Dubai and the Expo City site, recommending public transport over private vehicles to avoid road closures.
The advisory is crucial for international assignees and business travellers arriving during the long weekend, as the Metro is often the fastest way to reach key free-zone districts and airport terminals when holiday traffic clogs Sheikh Zayed Road. Paid-parking zones will operate under holiday-schedule tariffs, and technical-inspection centres for vehicle registration will be closed—information mobility managers should relay to employees planning car-lease renewals or resident-permit vehicle testing.
RTA is also encouraging the use of Nol cards and the S’hail journey-planner app to reduce queuing at ticket machines, an important tip for new arrivals unfamiliar with Dubai’s cashless transport ecosystem. Limousine and taxi fleets will operate normal hours but may see surge pricing during fireworks and parade times.
For corporate relocation teams, the update provides a planning window to adjust airport transfers, temporary housing check-ins and city-orientation tours. Landlords and HR departments should advise newly arrived staff that some government offices—including immigration typing centres—also close for Union Day, potentially delaying Emirates ID registration and residence-visa stamping.
The RTA reminded residents that Union Day celebrations draw large crowds to Downtown Dubai and the Expo City site, recommending public transport over private vehicles to avoid road closures.
