Dubai completes 595 new bus shelters as RTA nears final phase of citywide upgrade

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed 595 new public bus shelters across key districts as part of a large-scale programme to install 762 shelters throughout the emirate.

The project, now 89 per cent complete, is designed to raise the quality of public transport facilities and support Dubai’s long-term urban mobility goals.

The new shelters introduce a modern aesthetic design and a range of amenities intended to improve the daily commute for residents and visitors. According to the RTA, the shelters will serve a significant number of heavily used routes, including locations that accommodate more than ten bus lines.

More than 192 million passengers use Dubai’s bus network each year.

RTA nears completion of bus shelters

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the RTA, said the upgraded facilities mark an important milestone in the authority’s work to develop a more integrated urban environment.

He said, “The new shelters represent a pivotal step in RTA’s efforts to develop an integrated urban environment that encourages residents and visitors to use public transport, improves quality of life, and promotes comfort and well-being. RTA is committed to providing modern, comfortable, and safe facilities that enhance the appeal of the bus network and meet the needs of Dubai’s growing population and urban expansion.”

He added, “We were keen to ensure that the new shelters combine modern and aesthetic design with services that guarantee a better mobility experience, thereby reinforcing public confidence in the public transport network and supporting sustainability objectives, including emissions reduction. The shelters serve many bus routes, with some accommodating more than ten routes per shelter, which enhances network efficiency, reduces travel times, and increases reliance on public transport.”

Al Tayer said the locations were selected to support high-density urban areas and to meet current and future operational needs for the public bus network. The RTA also intends the shelters to support wider mobility strategies through improved integration with soft transport options such as cycling and pedestrian routes.

Work continues on the remaining shelters, which are expected to enhance Dubai’s wider public transport landscape and help sustain the growth in passenger numbers as the city’s population expands.