Life has become more convenient for many residents of the UAE recently, as traffic jams on the roads have significantly reduced, cutting daily commutes in half — all thanks to the summer holidays.
Expat Awais Toor, who typically would depart from his home in Sharjah at 7:30 AM and arrive at his office in Dubai by 9:00 AM, now reaches his destination in just 40 to 50 minutes. "The evening commute is also much smoother," he noted. "What previously took an hour and 20 minutes now only requires 45 minutes." This daily time savings of at least 85 minutes allows Toor to return home earlier, providing more time to spend with friends and accomplish tasks at home.
The usual bumper-to-bumper traffic between Sharjah and Dubai, both in the morning and evening, is currently absent — a common occurrence during this season when families are traveling for holidays. Abdul Rahman, a Sudanese expat and dentist residing in Sharjah's Muwaileh area, commutes daily to Dubai's Al Barsha. "Normally, my commute lasts about an hour and 30 minutes. However, during the summer vacation, I arrive at my workplace in just 40 to 45 minutes," he shared. Previously, he had to navigate through congested roads even late into the evening, but now, the roads are nearly empty, allowing him to drive at full speed.
Abdul noted, "I discussed the traffic situation with a colleague, and it dawned on me that many of his relatives and friends were on vacation. This likely explains the significant reduction in traffic congestion." He added that the extra time is now well utilized, providing more quality family time, personal time, and reducing road stress.
For Aboobacker Shibin, a design engineer who commutes from Ajman to Dubai, the travel time has decreased from over an hour and 45 minutes to less than an hour. "This reduction has greatly improved my daily routine," he said, noting that he can start his day with less stress and enjoy more personal time and a better work-life balance.
Working mothers also benefit from the summer break, as they no longer need to rush in the mornings to get their children ready for school before heading to the office. "Now, my children are either resting or playing in the morning, and I don’t have the stress of getting them ready for school and preparing myself for work," said Sara Al Ali, who works in the health department in Dubai. "During the summer vacation, I leave for the office half an hour late and reach in just 40 minutes, and return home in just 45 minutes, allowing me to spend extra time at home with family. The reduced traffic has made my daily commute much more manageable and less tiring," she added.
