Revamped Abu Dhabi bus routes offer faster service

Abu Dhabi - Three-digit buses will no longer be seen on Airport Road connecting places like Mushrif Mall and Zayed Sports City.

 The public bus transportation system in Abu Dhabi has undergone a major revamp with the introduction of 'Express Bus' services, new bus numbers and routes to reach more destinations with fewer stops.
Starting this week, the Department of Transport (DoT) has started 'Express Buses' X2 and X3 (both from Al Khalidiyah), X4 and X5 (from Al Zahiyah, Corniche Hospital) to Al Maqta Bus Interchange. While X2 and X3 operate on the Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Road (Airport Road), X4 and X5 ply on the Sultan Bin Zayed Street (Muroor Road).
All the four buses have some 14 to 16 stops from the first to the last stop at Al Maqta Bus Interchange.
New buses, 24-hour services
There are now two buses on the Hazza Bin Zayed Street, 011 and 071, which will operate from Al Marina to Al Reem North. These are the only two buses on the busy road with Al Wahda Mall at the centre.
Bus number 052 has been replaced with 022, with some changes in the route. Starting from Al Khalidiyah, 022 takes Airport Road to reach the final destination of Al Maqta Souq. There are minor changes in routes like 044, which no longer covers the interior roads of Al Mushrif. All these changes have cut travel time.  Apart from 022, 065 and 067 (both from Al Reem to Al Marina) - which are 24-hour services - all the other buses run in 30-minute intervals.
Faster travel for 3-digit routes
All three digit buses, barring 175, coming from Abu Dhabi City will take a left turn after Al Jazira Sports Club onto the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street (Abu Dhabi - Dubai Road) to enter the Mussafah industrial area and the Mohammed Bin Zayed City through Abu Dhabi - Al Ain Truck Road.
This means, three-digit buses will no longer be seen on Airport Road connecting places like Mushrif Mall and Zayed Sports City. This move is especially beneficial for blue-collar workers from Mussafah as there are no stops once the bus leaves the city and reaches the industrial area.
Also, 'Hail and Ride' services are operating from various stops in Mussafah to take commuters to remote, interior areas.
Download Darb for updates
A Department of Transport staff has urged commuters to download the Darb application. "We request everyone to make use of the Darb application, where you can monitor the live schedules of all buses and routes.
"There are lots of changes made to bus routes to benefit the commuters. We request everyone to experience the change," the staff said.
People can call 800 88888 to express their concerns and clarify any doubts on the new bus routes and timetable.
Drivers and DoT staff on buses said it would take a few days or weeks for people to get used to the new routes and numbers.
"It took me hours to understand the new timetable. People may be confused for a few days but once the boards at bus stops are changed with new numbers, there will be a certain level of clarity.
"All these will make travel much faster for all," they said.
1-Express buses
X2 and X3 - From Al Khalidiyah to Al Maqta Bus Interchange (on Airport Road)
X4 and X5 - From Al Zahiyah, Corniche Hospital, to Al Maqta Bus Interchange (Muroor Road)
2-New buses
011 and 071 - From Al Marina to Al Reem North (Hazza Bin Zayed Street)
022 (replacing 052) -  Al Khalidiyah to Al Maqta Souq (Airport Road)
3-Revised routes
All three-digit buses will take a left turn after Al Jazira Sports Club onto the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street to enter Mussafah industrial area and the Mohammed Bin Zayed City through Abu Dhabi - Al Ain Truck Road
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Abu Dhabi