Public transport will take center stage in Dubai’s New Year mobility plans, with authorities confirming that the Dubai Metro will remain operational for almost two full days to manage the expected surge of residents and visitors celebrating across the city.
According to the Roads and Transport Authority, metro services on both the Red and Green Lines will begin early on Wednesday, December 31, at 5am and continue uninterrupted until 11.59pm on Thursday, January 1, 2026 — creating a 43-hour continuous service window. The extended schedule is designed to reduce traffic congestion as crowds move between fireworks venues, entertainment districts, and tourist hotspots throughout the celebrations.
The Dubai Tram will also operate on extended hours, starting at 6am on New Year’s Eve and running until 1am on Friday, January 2, providing additional connectivity in busy waterfront and residential areas.
Commuters heading toward Downtown Dubai have been advised to plan carefully. The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro station may close as early as 5pm on December 31 if passenger numbers exceed safe capacity levels. Travelers can instead use nearby stations such as World Trade Centre, Emirates Towers, Financial Centre, or Business Bay to access surrounding areas.
This year’s celebrations are expected to be among the largest the emirate has staged, with fireworks scheduled at 48 separate displays across 40 locations. Key sites include Burj Khalifa, Global Village, Hatta, and Expo City Dubai, drawing spectators across multiple districts rather than concentrating crowds in a single area.
The Metro remains one of the most direct ways to reach many of Dubai’s major landmarks, passing close to destinations such as Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, where large-scale countdown events and visual shows are planned.
Authorities have also cautioned motorists that Sheikh Zayed Road is expected to close during peak celebration hours, reinforcing the push toward public transport use. To support movement across the city, 1,300 buses will be deployed, and up to 20,000 parking spaces will be made available to accommodate park-and-ride commuters.
The transport arrangements were outlined on Friday, December 26, by Hussain Al Bana, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the RTA, as part of the emirate’s broader strategy to manage mobility during the New Year period.
