Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA ) announced that it has teamed up with Dubai-based companies that have online shopping platforms to deliver orders to the public through Dubai Taxi vehicles and franchised taxis. The initiative responds to the growing demand from UAE consumers for online shopping during the current period.

RTA  said Union Coop Society and Emirates Post are among the first entities it has partnered with to offer this service.  The initiative is in line with RTA’s efforts to reduce the pressure on delivery services offered by online shopping platforms and ensures the public  to receive their orders on time.

RTA further said it has taken all precautionary measures to safeguard the health and safety of both customers and drivers through contactless collection and delivery of orders. The service is aligned with the UAE leadership’s directives to people to stay at home, practice social distancing and follow precautionary measures against the coronavirus (COVID-19). RTA is seeking to broaden the scope of the initiative to cover all online shopping companies.

The Authority said the initiative reflects its drive to encourage the use of digital platforms and help improve the quality of life of the city’s residents.RTA had also announced that  paid and multi storey parking in Dubai will be free of charge for two weeks from 31 March up to  13 April 2020.The decision supports the public during the period of preventive measures against COVID-19 and the national disinfection programme of the  Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Ministry of Interior. 

It also supports the government’s remote work initiative and its directives to citizens and residents to stay home. As part of the National Disinfection Programme run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Ministry of Interior to cope up with coronavirus (COVID-19) and to further enhance the smart service offering, RTA had also closed  customers happiness centres and amended the business hours of others from Wednesday 1st April to 9 April 2020.