Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has extended its Bus-On-Demand service to Oud Metha and Barsha Heights, bringing the network to ten neighbourhoods across the emirate. The expansion gives more residents access to flexible, app-based transit that links residential streets to the nearest metro or bus station for just AED 5 per trip.
What Is the Bus-On-Demand Service?
Bus-On-Demand is RTA's technology-enabled mass-mobility solution for neighbourhoods that are not well served by fixed bus routes. Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at RTA's Public Transport Agency, describes it as "seamless and efficient" — a way to tackle traffic congestion while improving connectivity across the emirate.
Passengers book rides through the Dubai-Bus On-Demand app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The app shows the nearest designated pickup point, allows users to request a vehicle, and processes payment directly — all within a single journey flow.
How the Service Works
The 13-seat minibuses operate within defined geographical zones. When a user requests a ride, the driver is alerted to navigate to the closest pickup point. From there, the bus travels to the nearest public transport station — metro, tram, or fixed-route bus — completing the first- or last-mile leg of the journey.
The flat fare of AED 5 per person applies regardless of distance within the zone, making it one of the most affordable on-demand transit options in the region.
Expansion Timeline
The service launched in three neighbourhoods — Al Barsha, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Al Nahda — before adding Business Bay in early 2024 and Downtown Dubai by the end of that year. The addition of Oud Metha and Barsha Heights brings the total coverage to ten key areas.
RTA conducted field surveys before each expansion phase, assessing user demographics, vehicle ownership levels, proximity to transit stations, and expectations around comfort and punctuality. The authority also benchmarked the programme against on-demand transit systems in Spain, Germany, the United States, and Finland.
Supporting Dubai's Smart Mobility Goals
The Bus-On-Demand rollout is part of Dubai's broader push to modernise public transport and reduce private car dependency. By connecting underserved residential areas to the existing metro and bus network, RTA aims to give both residents and visitors a genuinely practical alternative to driving.
With ten areas now covered and the service still expanding, Bus-On-Demand is increasingly central to how Dubai solves the first- and last-mile problem at scale.
