Hijri New Year: UAE introduces nationwide free parking, toll exemptions and revised transport schedules for 15 June

Authorities across the Emirates have coordinated an extensive package of mobility measures for Monday, 15 June, marking the Islamic (Hijri) New Year public holiday. Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) confirmed that all on-street parking managed by Parkin will be free for 24 hours, while multi-storey facilities will retain standard tariffs. Metro and tram operating hours have been extended, and inter-city bus route E100 (Al Ghubaiba–Abu Dhabi) will be temporarily suspended with Route E101 providing an alternative link via Ibn Battuta station.



Travellers who plan to take advantage of the long weekend to cross borders or handle last-minute paperwork should remember that visa and passport requirements can differ by nationality. VisaHQ’s UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) allows you to verify entry rules, apply online for tourist or business visas and track applications in real time, streamlining the process so you can focus on enjoying the holiday rather than waiting in embassy queues.

In Abu Dhabi, Q Mobility announced that Darb toll gates on the four main island bridges (Sas Al Nakhl, Al Maqta, Rabdan and Al Saadiyat) will be de-activated for the day, alongside free "Mawaqif" public parking. Multi-storey facilities and the recently added Al Qurm and Ghantout toll points remain operational. Sharjah and Ajman municipalities have issued similar exemptions, though "blue-zone" smart-parking bays are excluded. The coordinated approach is designed to ease holiday congestion, encourage public-transport use and support domestic tourism. For companies running shuttle services or ground logistics, the toll holiday offers small but immediate cost savings, while free parking will facilitate staff movements across city centres. Mobility teams should, however, note that normal fees resume on 16 June and that enforcement is strict – especially in smart zones where digital cameras automatically issue fines. Visitors renting cars during the peak summer period are advised to check individual emirate rules and to verify pick-up and drop-off times because some rental desks inside malls may be closed for the holiday.