Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a major boost to its public bus network, with enhanced services aimed at making journeys faster and more efficient across the emirate.
Covering 88 percent of Dubai’s urban areas, the extensive bus network now operates with a fleet of 1,390 buses, completing around 11,000 trips daily and covering approximately 333,000 kilometers. Last year alone, RTA recorded 188 million passengers using its bus services, an eight percent increase from 2023.
As part of its commitment to improve public transportation, RTA will roll out six new dedicated taxi and bus lanes, totaling 13 kilometers, by 2025. These dedicated lanes are expected to boost passenger numbers by 10 percent, enhance bus arrival times by 42 percent, and cut travel times by 41 percent.
To further optimize travel times, Dubai has implemented a bus priority system at traffic signals on key intersections, achieving up to a 12 percent improvement in bus punctuality.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, emphasized the authority’s goal of making public transport more accessible and efficient. “RTA is committed to enhancing the public bus service to encourage residents to choose public transport for their daily commutes. We aim to improve connectivity between residential, commercial, and industrial areas by seamlessly integrating the bus service with Dubai Metro,” he said.
The RTA’s future plans include expanding smart systems and artificial intelligence (AI) integration to streamline operations, reduce costs, and ensure better schedule management. This aligns with Dubai’s multi-modal public transport strategy, which integrates buses, metro, trams, marine transport, and shared mobility options for a seamless commuting experience.