RTA extends Dubai Metro hours and warns of road closures for Dubai Ride on Nov 1

The Roads and Transport Authority will open Metro at 3 am and expects delays on several key roads between 3 am and 9:30 am as the Dubai Ride challenge begins.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 31 Oct 2026 17:08:08 GMT

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that Metro services will begin at 3 am on Sunday, 1 November, to support the opening day of the Dubai Ride challenge, and warned motorists of traffic delays on several roads during the same period.

What happened

According to the RTA, Metro trains will run from 3 am on 1 November, allowing participants to reach the event early. Commuters are reminded to keep at least Dh30 on their Nol cards. The authority also said that temporary road closures will affect Sheikh Zayed Road between Trade Centre Junction and Al Safa Bridge, Lower Financial Centre Street between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, and one direction of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard. Expected disruptions are slated for 3 am to 9:30 am.

What the reports add

Khaleej Times reported that the Metro timing extension is specifically for the Dubai Ride challenge, the flagship event of the 10th Dubai Fitness Challenge, which runs from 31 October to 29 November. The same outlet added that motorists can use alternative routes such as Upper Financial Centre Street, Zabeel Palace Road, Al Wasl Road and Al Khail Road. A map of the affected roads was provided in the second report.

What was said

The RTA reminded participants to ensure a Dh30 balance on their Nol cards, as quoted in the first Khaleej Times article. No direct quotes from officials were included in the source texts.

How it came about

The Metro timing change follows earlier RTA announcements that set a 3 am start and identified new parking sites for Dubai Ride, detailed in RTA sets 3 am Metro start and new parking sites for Dubai Ride 2026. The traffic‑delay warnings echo the authority’s pattern of issuing advance notices for major events, such as the morning traffic alerts issued on 13 October for Dubai‑Sharjah routes.

Key facts

Metro services will start at 3 am on 1 November for Dubai Ride (khaleejtimes.com)
RTA advises commuters to keep Dh30 on their Nol cards (khaleejtimes.com)
Temporary closures will affect Sheikh Zayed Road (Trade Centre Junction to Al Safa Bridge), Lower Financial Centre Street, and one direction of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard (khaleejtimes.com)
Motorists are urged to plan journeys between 3 am and 9:30 am and can use alternative routes such as Upper Financial Centre Street and Al Khail Road (khaleejtimes.com)
Dubai Ride is the opening event of the 10th Dubai Fitness Challenge, running 31 Oct‑29 Nov (khaleejtimes.com)