Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled 15 temporary air-conditioned shelters at major bus and metro stations to help delivery riders cope with the intense summer heat.
Launched in line with the UAE’s Midday Work Ban—enforced from June 15 to September 15 to prevent outdoor labor between 12:30pm and 3pm—the initiative reinforces the city’s ongoing efforts to prioritize worker safety, especially those operating under harsh conditions.
These new cooling stations, which complement 40 existing permanent shelters across the emirate, are equipped with water dispensers, phone charging ports, and designated motorbike parking areas to ensure both comfort and safety for riders.
Partnering with Deliveroo and the UAE Food Bank, the RTA is also distributing 7,500 hot meals at these rest areas, offering much-needed support to delivery workers who play a vital role in Dubai’s thriving e-commerce and food delivery industries.
The temporary shelters are located at four key bus stations—Gold Souq, Al Satwa, Al Jafiliya, and Oud Metha—as well as at 11 metro station exits including e&, Al Qusais, Emirates Towers, Insurance Market, Centrepoint, Al Furjan, Business Bay, DMCC, ADCB, and BurJuman.
In a statement, the RTA highlighted that this effort is part of a broader strategy to uplift the delivery sector through improved infrastructure, policy-making, and sustainable practices—including the reduction of food waste by redistributing surplus meals to those in need.
The UAE Food Bank emphasized that its involvement reflects the country’s commitment to humanitarian principles, calling food support “a moral duty” in line with the nation’s values of compassion and community care.