Residents in Al Satwa, Al Quoz, and Mirdif can now summon a bus to their doorstep for AED 5 a trip, after the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) switched on its Bus on Demand service in the three areas. The move brings total coverage to 20 zones across the emirate and gives commuters in those neighborhoods an alternative to hailing a cab for short hops.
The app-based service lets riders book a pickup and drop-off within a covered zone, with fares meant to stay within reach for everyone. RTA cast the expansion as part of a wider effort to link residential districts with public transport stations through flexible options, in step with the Dubai government’s goal of holding its lead in easy and sustainable travel.
The rollout arrives on the back of sharp growth in ridership. Over the first six months of 2026, the service logged 527,000 trips — up 25.1 percent from the same stretch a year earlier. June proved the standout month, drawing 105,990 riders, the busiest the service has been since the year began.
RTA tied that momentum to public trust in how the service works and how simple it is to use, gains it linked to a 54 percent widening of its operating footprint and a fleet now numbering 55 buses.
Signing up takes a few steps: install the Bus on Demand app, register, and enter the details needed to activate the account before booking. Payment can be settled by credit card, debit card, or nol card.
“We continues to develop the service and improve the passenger journey, in a way that supports Dubai’s vision in building a smart, comfortable, and sustainable public transport system,” RTA said.
