RTA Has Announced nol Cards (Special Edition) For COP28

What is COP28

COP 28 refers to the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, starting from November 30th until December 12th, 2023.

These conferences, also known as COPs, occur annually and serve as the primary global platform where nearly every country on the planet comes together to make decisions about climate change. They are crucial gatherings where the world collaborates to find solutions for the climate crisis. This includes agreements on crucial matters like limiting the increase in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius, supporting communities vulnerable to climate change, and striving to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Anticipated to draw more than 70,000 attendees, COP28 will welcome delegates from member states (known as Parties) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Alongside these delegates, there will be participation from business leaders, young individuals, climate experts, Indigenous Peoples, journalists, and a diverse array of stakeholders and specialists.

In simple terms, COP 28 represents the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC. It stands as a pivotal moment where global efforts to combat climate change are discussed, and decisions are made to shape a sustainable future.

Pre-recharged nol cards for COP28 Participants

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has a big plan for COP28. They want traveling during the event to be easy, eco-friendly, and smooth for everyone.

COP28 is a huge global conference happening in Expo City Dubai from November 30th to December 12th. The RTA is working closely with others to make sure transportation is top-notch. They’re partnering with the Office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change of the UAE and Expo City Dubai.

The plan covers different zones: The Blue Zone is for office delegations, the Green Zone is for businesses and the public, and participants of COY18. They’re making sure everyone can get in and move around the Expo easily using eco-friendly ways to travel.

RTA really wants this event to succeed. They’re showing how serious the UAE is about fighting climate change and taking care of the environment.

To make sure everything runs smoothly, RTA has plans for getting around using the Dubai Metro, buses, and taxis. They’ve thought about traffic and how to keep things flowing well. They’re ready for any problems that might come up, so people can move around without any trouble during the conference.

RTA is giving ‘pre-recharged’ special nol cards to COP28 delegates so they can use public transport for free in Dubai while the conference is happening. This is a great way to encourage people to use greener ways to travel within the venue.

RTA’s plan is all about making it easy for everyone to get around during big events like COP28, while also helping the environment.

Extended Metro Timings

Guests attending COP 28 can access the venue via the Expo 2020 Metro Station using the Dubai Metro, the most eco-friendly and efficient mode of transportation for reaching the event. The RTA has extended Metro operating hours from 5:00 am to 1:00 am the next day, specifically for the duration of COP28. 

Biofuel & Electric Buses

Expo City Dubai has introduced special buses for visitors. There are 67 biofuel and 10 electric buses. They stop at four places in Expo City Dubai to help people get around easily.

Also, there are new bus routes made by RTA. These routes take delegates and organizers to important places like JBR, Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta, and other places in the Emirate. They help people move around even when the metro is not running. It makes it easier for everyone to go where they need to, whenever they need to.

Hybrid Taxis & Luxury Cars

Dubai’s transport authority has more than 10,000 hybrid taxis and 1,000 electric luxury cars. People visiting Expo City can easily catch these taxis using the Hala Taxi app. And if they want a luxury ride, they can use Uber, Careem, or Yango.

There are specific spots (they call them ranks) for these vehicles at four important entrances in Expo City: Opportunity Gate, Mobility Gate, Sustainability Gate, and the Metro Gate.

The RTA has a smart plan for managing all the different ways people get around, like the traffic flow and parking. 

Also, there are more than 100 signboards on the roads to help visitors find their way to the conference. So, it’s easier for attendees to find the conference location.

Zero-Emission Strategy 2050

RTA is joining the meeting with some amazing future plans. One of them is the Zero-Emission Public Transport Strategy 2050. They’ll show it at the UAE pavilion. They want everyone to see how important it is to use eco-friendly ways to travel.

Also, RTA will have a special spot in the Green zone of the conference. There, they’ll talk about different projects like ‘self-driving transport strategy,” future aerial taxi vertiports,’ ‘first and last mile strategy,’ and other other modes of transportation. They’ll explain how these projects are good for the environment.

COY18 – 18th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Youth

RTA will present a visual presentation at COY18 intended for young participants. They’ll talk about using eco-friendly ways to travel in buses and taxis. They also have plans to make these rides better for the environment by reducing pollution.

To help young people take action for the climate, RTA have issued pre-recharged nol cards They can use these cards for free rides on public transport during the conference. It’s a way to encourage youth to use eco-friendly transportation in Dubai.

‘Way to Go’ – Choose Public Transport

RTA encourages COP28 attendees to use public transport to get to the conference at Expo Dubai. They have a theme called ‘Way To Go’ to encourage this. By using public transport, people can help protect the environment by making less pollution.

Routes for The Conference

People coming to the conference can get a nol card and use ‘S’hail’ app to find the best route to get to the conference. They can use the Dubai Metro and RTA’s electric buses, which are the best ways to travel sustainably at the conference. They can also ride in electric taxis, making the trips smoother and better for the environment.

Car Parking Facilities

If you have your car, consider this convenient alternative: rather than driving directly to the Green Zone, take advantage of the complimentary multi-level car parking spaces available at stations like Centrepoint, Etisalat by e, and Jebel Ali Station. Park your vehicle there and seamlessly transition to the metro for a smoother commute.

However, should you opt to drive directly to the Green Zone, rest assured there are ample parking facilities in close proximity to the venue. Numerous parking lots are strategically located nearby, ensuring convenient access for attendees arriving by car.

By utilizing the free multi-level parking facilities offered at select stations or exploring the nearby parking lots, attendees have flexible options to suit their transportation preferences when attending the event in the Green Zone. Whether by metro or private vehicle, convenient parking solutions await to facilitate your journey to the venue.

Read more about transportation during COP28 here.

Conclusion

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai is making it easy for people to move around during the COP28 event. They’re giving special nol cards for free travel to the conference and making sure public transport, like buses and the metro, works well. They also have plans for electric taxis and parking spots to help everyone get around smoothly.

RTA wants everyone at the conference to use public transport to reduce pollution. They’ve made routes using the metro and electric buses for easy travel. People can also use electric taxis to get around.

Overall, the RTA’s main goal is to make it easy for everyone to move around during COP28 while helping the environment at the same time.