Dubai to ditch cars for anti-pollution day

DUBAI // More than 2,500 government employees in Dubai will swap their cars for the Metro, buses and abras on Wednesday as part of a municipality drive to curb pollution.

Residents are also encouraged to leave their vehicles behind and find other means of transport during the second Car Free Day, in cooperation with the Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Etisalat and the Land Department.

Leading the way will be Dubai Municipality’s director general Hussan Lootah, who plans to take the Metro to work.

At least 1,500 Municipality employees ditched their cars during the first Car Free Day in 2010.

Next year, Car Free Day aims to target residents in the private sector and encourage more people take part in the the environmentally-friendly event.

Exhaust fumes from cars account for 42 per cent of Dubai's air pollution.

melshoush@thenational.ae