BIG 5 works with DWTC to reduce traffic congestion

"We are aware that many roads approaching the trade centre and the immediate vicinity could be heavily congested during the show. Therefore we want to try and alleviate the situation by raising awareness of this potential issue, not only for those people involved with The BIG 5 but also the public at large," said Simon Mellor, Vice President Construction, dmg world media.

Mellor's statement went on:
"To reiterate The BIG 5 starts on Sunday 23rd November and finishes on Thursday 27th November. The exhibition will be open between 11am to 8pm daily, except Thursday 27th when the show will close at 6pm.

We recommend that trade visitors to the show, take advantage of the numerous shuttle bus services either arranged by the organizers and which are free, or operated by the RTA.

In total 50 buses have been commissioned to run from various locations including three park and ride locations to and from the trade centre.

The drop off points at the venue are located outside Zabeel Hall, Convention Gate and Exhibition Gate, with the main drop off areas opposite Novotel and Zabeel Hall

An RTA bus route will run every 30 minutes from the RTA Bus Station at Convention Gate via the hotels located on SZR including the Fairmont, Crown Plaza, Shangri La, Four Seasons, French Connection, Al Murooj Rotana, Dusit Dubai and returning to Convention gate.

In addition, free City Shuttle Buses will operate on three routes from car park E. The routes are 1) to the newly opened Dubai Mall 2) Mall of the Emirates; 3) Festival City Mall. These routes will help visitors as they depart the event, taxi services at the malls are provided in significant volume and resolve some of the pressure on the RTA taxi services at DWTC

Exhibitors and visitors who intend to drive to the exhibition will be served by the normal car parks located around the venue and a number of additional car parks located at strategic points around Dubai.

Some 2,500 additional car parking spaces will be made available at special auxiliary car parks located at Wonderland close to the Grand Hyatt Hotel; Al Wasl Club adjacent to Al Wasl Hospital; and the Miras development site at the rear of the Fairmont Hotel. Again, shuttle buses will service these special car parks. These park and ride locations have been selected to remove some of the congestion seen at the venue recently. 'We'd urge visitors to use the park and ride facilities, they will ease the stress of locating parking near to the site' said Mellor

Other measures taken by the organisers include onsite VIP and valet parking, a limousine service for VIP guests.

"Finally we strongly advise those drivers who are not visiting the show to try and find an alternative route or at least try and avoid the peak hours around 11am and again around 8pm. If you do get stuck in a jam, please be patient and drive carefully, safety has to be the top priority. It's better to arrive late than not at all," concluded Mellor.