While the pandemic has made their value to society unmistakably clear, overworked delivery drivers in the Middle East have long lived at the economic margins — often paid according to the number of deliveries they make, leading them to cut corners when it comes to traffic rules. While making deliveries over dangerous streets, these delivery drivers risk the police impounding their vehicles, yet they carry on. 

The good news is that in the past year, the movement to improve their work environment has been gathering steam, allowing them for breaks. 

Now, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is inviting the UAE business community to bid on constructing three integrated rest stops for delivery motorbike drivers in the emirate. 

The stations would be built in three strategic locations: Sheikh Zayed Road near the Festival Plaza at Jebel Ali Village, Port Saeed next to Al Muraqabat Street 22, and Ras Al Khor Industrial Area 2 close to Al Manama Street.

The centers will offer basic services such as maintenance, refueling, rest areas, and restaurants. According to the release, the RTA will provide educational material on public safety and quality regulation.

With summer soon on the horizon, the project aligns with the RTA’s efforts to regulate and enhance the safety of delivery riders, which has grown in recent years. The RTA reported that Dubai is home to 2,891 delivery service companies as of December 2022, an increase of 48% compared to 2021. Moreover, more than 36 online delivery companies operate through smart platforms and applications. 

With the sector booming in recent years, the number of accidents involving delivery motorcyclists has risen, prompting the RTA to launch a number of initiatives to prioritize the well-being and safety of the community. These included holding traffic awareness workshops for riders, issuing professional rider certificates, and rewarding outstanding service providers.