DUBAI: More residents can now use Dubai’s Bus-On-Demand service after the Roads and Transport Authority added four new areas to the smart transport network.
The newly added areas are Al Qusais, Jumeirah Village Circle, Al Warqa’a, and Dubai Investments Park. The expansion follows a strong rise in demand, with ridership growing by around 136% in 2025.
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Nearly One Million Riders Used the Service in 2025
According to RTA, Bus-On-Demand served 984,929 riders in 2025, up from 417,315 riders in 2024. That is an increase of 567,614 riders in one year.
The sharp growth shows that more Dubai residents are using flexible shared transport for daily trips. For workers, students, and residents living away from main stations, the service can help reduce long walks, waiting time, and reliance on private cars.
Service Now Covers 17 Dubai Areas
With the latest expansion, Bus-On-Demand now covers 17 areas across Dubai and is supported by a fleet of 49 buses.
Before the new areas were added, the service already operated in Al Barsha, Al Nahda, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Academic City, Al Rigga, Port Saeed, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, Oud Metha, Al Karama, Barsha Heights, Al Mankhool, and DIFC.
The added coverage supports Dubai’s goal of improving first and last-mile travel. This means helping passengers move more easily between homes, business areas, Metro stations, and public bus stops.
How the App-Based Bus System Works
Bus-On-Demand does not follow fixed bus routes like regular public buses. Instead, passengers book through the Dubai Bus-On-Demand smart app.
Users choose their pick-up and drop-off points. The system then matches passengers going in similar directions and sends a minibus based on real-time demand.
This setup helps reduce waiting time and allows buses to serve areas where fixed routes may not be as convenient.
What Riders Pay Per Trip
The fare is AED 5 per trip. If a rider books for additional passengers, the fare is AED 4 for each extra rider.
Shared trips are available, which helps lower travel costs while making better use of each minibus. RTA is also offering launch-phase promotions, including free trips for a limited period, to encourage more people to try the service.
Why This Matters for Daily Commuters
For Dubai residents, the expansion gives another practical option between regular buses and private ride-hailing. It is app-based, shared, and designed to connect more people to the wider public transport network.
RTA said the next phase will include more planned expansion, along with improvements to the operating model and fare structure.
