Public transportation in the United Arab Emirates connects the country’s many diverse populations. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is no exception. The DoT runs Abu Dhabi’s public transportation system and is in charge of its growth, planning, and integration.
However, if you’re unfamiliar with Abu Dhabi and don’t have a vehicle, your business doesn’t offer transportation, and you don’t have any friends or family who live here, getting about might be challenging. What kinds of transportation options are there in Abu Dhabi? How might visitors or residents make the most of this on the way to and from work? Here’s all you need to know about public transit in Abu Dhabi.
Bus transport Abu Dhabi
In 2008, Abu Dhabi introduced a public bus transportation service. It’s an initiative by the Department of Transportation that aims to serve the transportation requirements of all Emirates residents. The city’s ubiquitous public bus system is one of its offerings.
The emirate’s public buses welcome wheelchair users and are available around the clock, every day of the year. People over the age of 60 and those with impairments are entitled to free fare. Easy to use, too; riders just drop two AED coins into a box adjacent to the driver each time they board or exit the bus. Of course, the Hafilat smartcard is always an option for frequent bus riders.
Hafilat Smart Card
The Hafilat Smart Card may be used to pay for any public transit in Abu Dhabi. Passengers may be able to load passes onto their Hafilat Card, add funds using the T Wallet, or do both of these things. These passes are straightforward to use and are a terrific incentive for individuals who often travel to Abu Dhabi in a flexible and easy method.
There are six distinct Hafilat cards available, each tailored to a certain set of circumstances. Read on for details on the various Abu Dhabi bus pass options and associated costs:
Temporary card
For a limited time (14 days from the date of purchase), Hafilat Temporary Card holders may add a 7-day pass to their T-wallet for AED 150. For an extra 30 AED, you may get a city pass that gives you unrestricted transportation for 7 consecutive days.
Permanent card
The anonymous card is worth 10 dirhams. A Hafilat Permanent Card can be used for five years. Other discounts include a 30-day unlimited ticket for AED 80 and a 30-day unlimited local pass for AED 30. And for those with special needs, the elderly, or students, a permanent (personalised) Hafilat card may be purchased for AED 5 with a 5-year validity for the low, low price of only AED 5. The IDs of people with disabilities, the elderly, or students will not be accepted in exchange for a discount.
Hafilat Card and Public Transport Fares
Depending on the kind of bus rider, the following prices are applied:
Taking the bus (in the city) will cost you AED 2.
Taking a shuttle bus will cost you AED 2 plus 5 fils every kilometre.
To travel between cities by public transportation (intercity bus), you will need to budget AED 10 plus 10 fils every kilometre.
You may get your hands on a Hafilat card at any of Abu Dhabi’s many retail centres, bus terminals, ticket vending machines, or point of customer service. You may also use the card exit at the bus station ticket office, provided you bring in identification and a picture of yourself.
Each Hafilat group may take use of a different set of public transit options, including municipal buses, commuter buses, and even interstate buses originating in Abu Dhabi. You may check the DoT website for details on Abu Dhabi bus schedules and Abu Dhabi transit routes (including interstate buses).
Abu Dhabi was given a fine by the Ministry of Transport for violating public transportation regulations.
To guarantee that Abu Dhabi’s bus services meet the needs of its customers in terms of both comfort and convenience, the Ministry of Transport has established the necessary laws. Major penalties will be imposed for those who disobey the bus traffic regulations. Passengers should be informed of the following penalties:
Care for fellow travellers = 500 AED.
AED 200 fine for use of alcohol or tobacco in a prohibited place.
Tickets for resale are 500 AED.
Spending AED 200 more than necessary on a trip
Passenger of a given class may pay AED 100 to enter a restricted location.
Passenger obstruction carries a fine of AED 200.
Disrupting a driver or other public transportation employee will cost you 200 AED.
If you want to stretch out, put your feet up on the seat or your arms out the open window or door: AED 200
The penalty for not granting permission to a legitimate requestor is 500 UAE Dirhams (AED).
Ferry service
Two passenger and vehicle ferries travel between Abu Dhabi and Del Mar Island, operated by the Ministry of Transport. There are two boats that run daily, so visitors can go to and from the island in a single day. It’s also important for passengers to know the following details before boarding a ship to Del Mar or Abu Dhabi:
Adults and children over 12 cost AED 20 each.
No charge for children under 12 years old.
One car’s worth of transportation will set you back 100 AED.
Additionally, the following travel papers are required for passengers to provide at check-in at the port:
Car registration documents are required for ferry travel.
A legitimate form of government-issued identity, such as a passport, employee identification card, or driver’s licence from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is required.
You may find useful information regarding safety guidelines, boat times, and port locations on the DoT website, which we highly suggest checking out. For further details, individuals may dial a toll-free number for Abu Dhabi.
Taxis
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has taxi services tailored to the needs of women, children, and the disabled in addition to its standard taxi fleet. You may hail a taxi by identifying it on the road and then placing your order using your mobile device. There are often cab stands outside of most retail malls. You may book a seat by calling TransAd at 60-053-5353. In addition to normal taxis, visitors and locals alike should be familiar with two more types of taxis:
Officially licenced taxi service silver cab. Female passengers and those under the age of 10 are restricted to using the pink taxis operated by women.
Public transportation in Abu Dhabi may also be accessed via local taxi services like Uber and Careem. Foreigners will find that the country’s cab drivers are fluent not just in Arabic but also in English, Filipino, and Urdu.
It is suggested that frequent users of city taxis use the Abu Dhabi taxi app, available for both iOS and Android devices.