The system is forced to constantly evolve to meet the needs of a large city with its huge passenger flows.
Dubai Public Transport includes the Dubai Metro, as well as the Dubai Tram, buses and such an unusual form of transport as Water Buses and Abra crossing boats. The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) manages this entire ramified system. Going on a trip by public transport, you can certainly buy tickets at any metro or tram station, with ticket price per person to be approximately AED 3. Purchasing a NOL card – a unified plastic card with a certain balance on it, brings some additional bonuses, like a slightly less price per ride, and an ability to use it for other purposes.
You can purchase this card both at the box office of transport stations, as well as vending machines. The passenger places should simply place the card on the censor upon entering and exiting the transport. The required amount will be automatically credited from the account, and the remaining balance will be displayed on a small screen near the censor.
It is worth considering that the public transport network in Dubai was divided into seven zones – the cost of the trip is different depending on the chosen route.
There are four types of NOL cards created by the RTA and available for purchase:
By the way, NOL Cards can also be used as means of payment in such places, as Zoom convenience stores and municipality parks entry gates, for example – in Creek Park.
Dubai Metro is an innovative driverless rail system, a unique modern project for the entire region. The metro consists of two branches – the Red Line of 29 stations (from Rashidiya to UAE Exchange) and the Green Line of 20 stations (from Etisalat to Creek). And by the opening of Dubai Expo 2020, it is planned to launch another branch with 7 stations – this line will be called Route 2020.
Metro trains arrive regularly at intervals of 4-7 minutes, depending on the time of day. The conditions inside the carriages and at the stations are very comfortable, there are an air conditioning system, Wi-Fi, and other amenities. You can also use even more convenient Gold Class carriages. There are also separate carriages for women and children.
If you need to get to the point of Dubai, where the Metro does not go, or to the neighboring emirate, then the best choice among public transport is buses. Moreover, the fare is quite low. The bus network in the city is quite developed, with most of the areas, even remote from the center, are connected by it. About 200 bus routes are run by the city, transporting tens of millions of people every week.
The bus fleet in Dubai is constantly expanding, with most buses being modern vehicles equipped with air conditioning. Many bus stops also have air conditioning to make it easier for passengers to tolerate waiting in hot climates. At the same time, buses run on schedule, and the wait will not be long.
There are a number of large bus stations around the city. Some of them have regular Intercity routes, connecting Dubai with other cities of UAE – Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Hatta, Khor Fakkan, and Al Ain.
Dubai Tram was put into operation in 2014. This is a unique project – the first tram network in the entire region – that can offer passengers such modern amenities and innovative solutions as air-conditioned stations and synchronized platform screen doors.
Dubai Tram has a total of 14,5 km route along Al Sufouh Road, connecting Dubai Marina, Dubai Knowledge Park, and Palm Jumeirah. The tram runs at intervals of approximately 5-6 minutes. The entire trip from one end of the route to the other through 11 stations is about 40 minutes. It connects two stations of Dubai Metro Red Line – DAMAC and DMCC, as well as Jumeirah Beach Residence and Palm Monorail.
Water Buses are another form of transport operated by the RTA. Like other modes of transport, such buses, or as they are called Abras, are constantly improving. Marine transport stations are undergoing reconstruction, the Water Bus fleet is replenished with more comfortable air-conditioned models designed to carry 20 passengers.
You can take a trip on these modern Water Buses equipped with many amenities along the waters of the Arabian Gulf. Many tourists consider it a must-have ride on this unique form of transport, so you can get a unique experience and enjoy the views of the Dubai Marina. Tourists can comfortably travel between stations such as Marina Terrace, Marina Walk, Dubai Marina Mall, and Marina Promenade. The cost of the trip will be 3-11 AED. Water Buses run at intervals of 15-30 minutes, depending on the day of the week and time of day.
One more type of transport in Dubai which we considered necessary to mention due to its uniqueness is the Palm Jumeirah Monorail. But it is worth emphasizing that this is a private transport system, so it is not controlled by RTA and the NOL card would not work here.
A driverless Monorail carries passengers through the famous Palm, along a scenic route from the Atlantis Hotel to the Gateway station, through a vibrant The Pointe waterfront complex and newly opened Nakheel Mall.
At this point, Palm Jumeirah Monorail is connected with the Dubai Tram. It currently does not yet have a direct connection to the Dubai Metro, although it is planned to be implemented in the future. The cost of a trip on a Monorail is about 10-30 AED.
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