Abu Dhabi bus service


The Abu Dhabi Public Bus Service is a Public transport bus service operating in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. It is operated by Abu Dhabi Mobility (Integrated Transport Centre), a division of Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport.
The service serves the cities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the western region. The service was introduced by the emirate of Abu Dhabi in 2008 with four routes, which charged Zero-fare until 2009.

Abu Dhabi Bus Services

The transportation services in Abu Dhabi are operated by MAN Lion's City, MAN Lion's Regio, Mercedes-Benz Citaro, Car-bus Spica Urban, Volvo B11R chassis buses with the body built by Carrocera Castrosua and certain electric and hydrogen buses on select routes.

Routes

As of June 2025:

Western Region Bus Services

Buses to Dubai (Operated by RTA Dubai">Roads and Transport Authority (Dubai)">RTA Dubai)

The detailed maps for these routes are available online. As of 2021, all buses services can be tracked live on Google Maps.
  • Routes that start with A terminate at or go via Zayed International Airport.
  • Routes that start with B are routes which only serve the suburbs of Shakhbout City, Al Shawamekh, Al Wathba and Baniyas.
  • Routes that start with F are routes which serve the suburb of Al Falah.
  • Routes that start with K are routes which only serve the suburb of Khalifa City.
  • Routes that start with L are express lines of existing routes.
  • Routes that start with M are routes which only serve the suburbs of MBZ City and Mussafah.
  • Routes that start with N only operate at night.
  • Routes that start with Q are routes which only serve Rabdan.
  • Routes that start with an X are express lines which are not of existing routes.

Autonomous Rapid Transit (AR1)

In October 2023, Txai & The Government of Abu Dhabi had collaborated to operate a tram-like electric articulated bus in Yas, Saadiyat & Reem Islands. Although this is done with the Abu Dhabi Government, Txai operates the Autonomous Rapid Transit as it is under "The Smart Mobility Project" aimed to improve transport within the emirate.

Fares and payment

Source:
The current fare system in Abu Dhabi uses a contactless card for the fare collection system called Hafilat Card that launched on May 15, 2015. All buses use the Hafilat Card and charge a flat fare of AED 2 within Abu Dhabi City limits while trips to suburbs cost an additional 5 fils per kilometre.
There are many types of Hafilat Cards such as :

Temporary use Hafilat Cards

Temporary use Hafilat Cards are Hafilat cards which are only valid for a maximum of 14 days. The cards can be recharged up to AED 150 and they can be used to travel on Local Bus Services and Regional Bus Services. If the user wishes to only travel on Local Bus Services. The user may purchase a weekly pass which costs AED 30 per week with no additional charges. The cards can be obtained at Ticket Office Machines in the emirate.

Personal and Permanent use Hafilat Cards

Personal and Permanent use Hafilat Cards are Hafilat cards which are valid up to 5 years. The cards can be recharged up to AED 150 and they can be used to travel on Local Bus Services and Regional Bus Services. Personal use Cards cannot be obtained from Ticket Office Machines and must be instead issued at ticket offices in bus stations after bringing the required identification documents. Permanent use Cards can be obtained at Ticket Office Machines without the need for identification documents.

Special Needs and Senior Citizen Hafilat Cards

Special Needs and Senior Citizen Hafilat Cards offer the user a free annual pass which can be used on Local Bus Services and Regional Bus Services. They can be obtained at ticket offices in bus stations in the emirate after bringing the required identification documents.

Student Hafilat Cards

Student Hafilat Cards are cards which contain an AED 500 annual pass which can be used to travel on Local Bus Services and Regional Bus Services. They can be obtained at ticket offices in bus stations in the emirate after bringing the required identification documents.

Recharge machines

Recharge machines are machines which are used to recharge Hafilat Cards. There are two types of recharge machines which are in use in the emirate.

Ticket Office Machines (TOMs)

Ticket Office Machines are machines which can be used to issue Permanent Use Hafilat Cards and Temporary Use Hafilat Cards. The machines can also be used to recharge and add bus passes to issued Hafilat Cards. Payment at TOMs can be made using banknotes and coins and change can be retrieved from the machine if present. TOMs are located inside all bus stations in the emirate as well as shopping centres, airports and select bus stops.

Swift Recharge Machines (SRMs)

Swift Recharge Machines are machines which can only be used to recharge issued Hafilat Cards. Payment at SRMs can only be made using select banknotes and change cannot be retrieved from the machine if present. SRMs are located inside all air-conditioned bus shelters, bus stations and in select shopping centres.

Bus stops

Boarding and alighting are only permitted at designated bus stops, which are located throughout the emirate. The bus stops are located relatively close to each other. Most bus stops are equipped with air conditioned spaces.

Local culture

As with most buses in the UAE, the front rows of seats are priority seating for ladies. Males occupying those seats are required to give up their seats in the event of a lady standing.