Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has expanded its smart Bus On Demand service to three major residential and commercial districts, Al Satwa, Al Quoz, and Mirdif. This takes the total number of connected zones across the emirate to 20.
The network expansion responds to rapid passenger growth during the first half of 2026, when the service recorded 527,000 trips, an increase of over 25% compared with the same period in 2025. June 2026 marked the highest monthly demand on record, with 105,990 passengers using the micro-transit option. To accommodate the influx, RTA expanded total operational coverage by 54% and increased its dedicated fleet to 55 buses.
The micro-transit model functions as a flexible first-mile and last-mile solution, allowing passengers to request rides to and from dynamic virtual stops through the Dubai Bus On Demand mobile app. The service connects residential neighbourhoods directly to Dubai Metro stations, major bus hubs, and commercial centres without requiring fixed routes or set timetables.
The three new districts join other established operational areas that includes Al Barsha, Al Nahda, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Academic City, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, Oud Metha, Al Karama, Barsha Heights, Al Mankhool, DIFC, Al Warqaa, Dubai Investment Park, JVC, Al Rigga, Port Saeed and Al Qusais.
For daily commuters and residents across Dubai, the expansion offers a low-cost, flexible alternative to private cars or taxis for short-distance trips, reducing local inner-neighbourhood congestion. Riders can pay for trips directly through the mobile application using nol cards, debit cards, or credit cards.