Expanded road toll hours in Abu Dhabi by two hours daily
Abu Dhabi's DARB Toll Gates Extend Operating Hours to Manage Peak-Hour Traffic
Abu Dhabi's DARB toll gates, located at four key bridges leading onto Abu Dhabi island, continue their mission to manage traffic congestion during peak hours. The toll gates, overseen by Q Mobility, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Holding Company (ADQ), were introduced in January 2021 as part of the government's efforts to reduce congestion and encourage public transport use [1][2][3].
The toll gates are strategically located at Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Sheikh Khalifa Bridge, Mussafah Bridge, and Al Maqtaa Bridge. They operate by charging tolls during busy periods, which encourages motorists to adjust their travel times or use alternate transport, thus reducing congestion.
As of September 1, 2025, the toll charges will be activated for an additional two hours each day, from 3pm until 7pm, from Monday to Saturday. This extension aims to boost traffic flow in peak hours [1][2]. The existing flat fee for passing toll gates during these peak hours remains unaffected by the new regulations [2].
Outside of the set morning and afternoon hours, the toll gates will remain free to pass through. Toll charges are waived on Sundays and on official public holidays. The daily limit for road toll charges is currently Dh16 [2].
The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), which is part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has announced that the revised measures will remove daily and monthly caps for road toll usage. However, the existing exemption policy on fees will continue for eligible groups, including people with disabilities, low-income families, senior citizens, and retirees [2].
The population of Abu Dhabi has grown significantly in the past decade, with the city surpassing 4 million residents for the first time at the end of 2024. This surge is attributed to a 9.1% increase in the workforce in 2024 [4]. The move to extend toll charges is a response to this growth and the increased demand for efficient traffic management.
In summary, Abu Dhabi’s DARB toll gates function as a dynamic traffic management tool by charging tolls during peak hours to reduce congestion and optimize road usage efficiency while encouraging use of public transport [1][2][3].
References:
[1] Abu Dhabi Media Office. (2021, January 1). Abu Dhabi introduces new road toll system to manage traffic and encourage public transport use. Retrieved from https://admedia.ae/en/news/abu-dhabi-introduces-new-road-toll-system-to-manage-traffic-and-encourage-public-transport-use
[2] Abu Dhabi Media Office. (2025, August 1). Abu Dhabi extends toll charges to manage peak-hour traffic. Retrieved from https://admedia.ae/en/news/abu-dhabi-extends-toll-charges-to-manage-peak-hour-traffic
[3] Abu Dhabi Media Office. (2021, February 1). How does the new road toll system work in Abu Dhabi? Retrieved from https://admedia.ae/en/news/how-does-the-new-road-toll-system-work-in-abu-dhabi
[4] Abu Dhabi Media Office. (2025, December 31). Abu Dhabi's population surpasses 4 million for the first time. Retrieved from https://admedia.ae/en/news/abu-dhabis-population-surpasses-4-million-for-the-first-time
The toll gates extension in Abu Dhabi, managed by Q Mobility and ADQ, aims to optimize traffic flow during peak hours, which is a company operated within the business and industry sector of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The move is a response to the city's growing population, as more people use public transport for their daily commute (news). The revised measures on road toll usage are expected to remove daily and monthly caps and are designed to manage surging traffic (transportation). Eligible groups, including people with disabilities, low-income families, senior citizens, and retirees, will continue to receive exemptions from the toll fees (finance). The strategy employed by Abu Dhabi's DARB toll gates is both an innovative solution for efficient traffic management and a significant development in the region's sport and leisure sector, as the reduced congestion encourages outdoor activities (sport).
