Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the Ministry of Family have signed a strategic partnership agreement to incorporate family-focused standards into the transport network, public amenities, infrastructure, and urban spaces across the emirate.
The agreement forms part of the “Family First” programme, a national initiative launched under the National Family Growth Agenda 2031. The programme was unveiled at the World Government Summit 2026 and will initially roll out in Dubai before expanding across the UAE.
The Ministry of Family has already signed cooperation agreements with Dubai Municipality, Majid Al Futtaim Group, and Union Coop as part of the same agenda.
Dubai launches family-focused transport initiative under National Family Growth Agenda 2031
“Our partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority represents a practical extension of the ‘Family First’ programme and a qualitative step in expanding its scope to include one of the sectors with the greatest impact on families’ daily lives — transport and urban mobility, thereby reflecting an advanced level of institutional integration that underscores the leadership of government performance in the UAE and reaffirms our commitment to placing the family at the centre of policies and development plans,” Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family said in a statement.
“Through this collaboration, we translate the objectives of the National Family Growth Agenda 2031 into tangible design and operational standards within the transport system and urban facilities, thereby firmly positioning the family as a national priority in urban planning and reinforcing the integration of social policies with development projects. Cities that place the family at the heart of their planning are best positioned to achieve balanced and sustainable development. We continue to embed this concept through high-impact partnerships that reflect long-term institutional commitment and establish an urban environment where the family is at the centre of daily life,” he added.
The partnership will see family growth concepts embedded into the design of transport stations, public facilities, and urban development areas.
The Ministry of Family has said it intends to use behavioural science methodologies, guidance cues, and visual and sensory markers to make the transport network easier to use for families across all segments of society.
“The partnership with the Ministry of Family reflects RTA’s commitment to working closely with strategic partners to enhance the integration of roles and deliver sustainable social impact. The collaboration will contribute to the development of new planning standards that incorporate family growth concepts into the design of transport stations, public facilities, and urban development areas, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global model for human-centred urban planning,” Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) added.
“Dubai’s development vision places people first, with the family at its cornerstone. From this standpoint, RTA has been keen to ensure that the transport system serves as a key enabler of quality of life — strengthening family stability and supporting social cohesion,” further explained.
“At RTA, we are committed to aligning our projects and policies with the national directions for the growth of the Emirati family by providing a safe, accessible, and inclusive transport system that caters to the needs of all segments of society. This contributes to reducing the daily burdens on families and enhancing the ease of mobility of their members within an integrated urban environment,” he added.
“RTA has translated this direction into practical initiatives aimed at enhancing quality of life for various segments of the community. These include exempting senior emiratis from parking fees, offering discounted public transport fares for senior emiratis and students, and granting People of Determination exemptions from Salik toll fees, parking charges, public transport fares, as well as vehicle registration and renewal fees. In addition, taxi fares and driver licensing fees have been reduced by 50 per cent for People of Determination,” he explained.
In support of the Year of Family, the RTA has introduced a series of initiatives. These include organising a mass wedding for Emirati employees preparing for marriage, supporting home-based entrepreneurship, and allocating spaces at public transport stations for families to display and sell products.
The authority has also refurbished a public bus into a mobile nursery for female employees, equipping it with educational and recreational facilities for use as a rest area for children during working hours on Fridays.
The RTA is additionally producing digital content to highlight Emirati family values and has issued special nol cards dedicated to the Year of Family.
The RTA has reported the following figures as part of its community services: 243 cabins allocated for women and children on Dubai Metro and Tram; more than 12,000 requests processed for the installation of celebratory and condolence signage; more than 31,000 nol cards provided to students; 331 driving licences issued to People of Determination; more than 490 families assisted through the In Safe Hands Service; and a nursery facility for employees’ children with a capacity of 100 children.
