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100 taxis, extra buses deployed for Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque crowds on final Ramadan nights
Measures aim to ease traffic during peak nights when tens of thousands gather for midnight prayers, especially on the 27th night of the holy month
- PUBLISHED: Tue 10 Mar 2026, 9:24 PM
Authorities in Abu Dhabi have stepped up transport services around Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque during Ramadan 2026, as the capital prepares for large numbers of worshippers expected at the country’s largest mosque — particularly during the final nights of the holy month.
The mosque has historically drawn tens of thousands of worshippers for late-night Tahajjud prayers, with attendance peaking on the 27th night of Ramadan, when more than 70,000 people gathered in a single night in recent years.
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To manage the surge in visitors, Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, said it has intensified traffic monitoring and expanded taxi and public bus services throughout Ramadan.
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Around 100 taxis deployed daily
Approximately 100 taxis will operate daily to serve worshippers travelling to the mosque, with additional vehicles expected during the last 10 nights of Ramadan, when attendance typically rises for extended nightly prayers.
Dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones have been designated in coordination with mosque management, while inspectors and transport coordinators will supervise operations on site to help organise the flow of visitors.
Extra buses and larger vehicles
Public bus services have also been enhanced to improve access to the mosque.
Route Q3 will now operate larger buses with capacity for up to 85 passengers, replacing smaller vehicles previously used on the route.
Two additional buses will operate during evening hours, and around 60 extra trips will run between Rabdan Bus Station and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque stop.
Meanwhile, bus routes X5, 54, 44 and 23 have been adjusted to stop directly at the mosque, adding 27 additional evening trips.
Authorities have also allocated three buses to transport passengers from Rabdan Bus Station to nearby suburban areas, helping reduce waiting times during peak hours.
Cameras, patrols and message boards
Through its traffic control room, the ITC is monitoring roads and signalised intersections around the mosque using an integrated traffic management system and surveillance cameras.
Portable and fixed Variable Message Signs (VMS) have been installed to guide motorists and visitors, while road service patrols and towing teams will respond quickly to accidents or breakdowns.
Traffic patrols will be intensified particularly during iftar hours and the late-night prayer period, when crowds increase significantly in the final days of Ramadan.
Authorities said the measures aim to ensure smooth mobility for worshippers visiting the mosque, which regularly hosts some of the largest Ramadan prayer gatherings in the UAE.
