The Bus on Demand is a Road and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai venture. Operated with the cooperation of United Trans, this min-bus service works through a mobile application. It covers several zones in the emirate and provides first to last mile transportation there. The idea behind the RTA Bus in Demand service is to improve public transportation in Dubai especially in more busy areas. Here is a detailed guide on the RTA Bus on Demand project covering the process, app, fee, routes and more.
Bus on Demand Eligibility
To be eligible to use the Bus on Demand services, you need to fulfil the following criteria:
- Both residents and tourists can make use of the Dubai Bus on Demand service
- A valid credit card or a Dubai nol card is required for the payment purposes
- You will have to download the Bus on Demand app to be able to access the service
Bus on Demand Routes
The Dubai Bus on Demand service has a fleet of 13 vehicles and currently covers the following 5 zones in Dubai:
- Al Barsha 1
- Dubai Internet City
- International City
- Dubai Silicon Oasis
- The Greens
- Oud Metha
- Barsha Heights
Furthermore, Academic City is connected to this service from both the Dubai Silicon Oasis and the International City.
Bus on Demand Fee
RTA has decided to reduce the Bus on Demand fee from AED 5 to AED 2 per trip per passenger. This makes this minibus service an affordable travelling option.
Also, find out about Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram for more budget-friendly travelling options in the emirate.
How to use Bus on Demand Service?
To be able to use this on demand bus service in Dubai, you will need to follow the procedure given below:
- Download the Bus on Demand smart application, available on Google Play
- Make an account and register for the service on the app
- Fill in the required data and payment details to activate the application form
Once you have done the above steps, you can use the service at your ease. The smart app will provide you with such details as the vehicle location, waiting time for the arrival of the bus, availability of seats and estimated travelling time to your destination.
If the information suits your needs, you can book the services using your nol or credit card. These mini buses are furnished with a point of sale or POS machines and use NI integration with the payment gateway of RTA’s system.
Take the ride and reach the destination you had booked for.
Why use Bus on Demand?
The Bus on Demand initiative was taken to make public transportation even more available to the people. The idea is to access the busy areas where the fixed-routes transportation options are somewhat limited. Furthermore, it is a step towards the UAE government’s ambitious 2030 public transportation target of 26%.
Apart from that, the RTA Bus on Demand service offers the following benefits to the riders:
- Shorter waiting time of around 10 to 15 minutes
- No need to cover extra miles to stations as the bus picks you right at your location and drops you at your destination
- Easier traveling at the time and location of your convenience
- Extremely affordable compared to most of the other transportation options
- Allow you to access areas with limited fixed-route public transportation
- Saves you time
- An environmentally-friendly option as it promotes ride-sharing and hence lower CO2 emissions and better traffic conditions
This is all about the RTA Bus on Demand service in Dubai. Currently, the bus service is running successfully in the city and offers a smart option for easy and affordable travelling. In case you want to have a backup plan if there are no seats available on a bus immediately, you can always have a look at these used cars for sale in Dubai as an alternative.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog for more information on public transportation in the Emirates.
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