Dubai's Feeder Bus Service: Free Or Fare?

Feeder buses in Dubai are an essential part of the city's public transport system, connecting passengers from metro stations to residential and commercial areas. With over 100 bus routes across the city, almost every part of Dubai is accessible by bus. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) operates these feeder buses, which are identified by route numbers starting with the letter 'F'. While the feeder bus fare is generally incorporated into the overall ticket price, it can effectively be free if your journey does not pass through any additional zones.

Feeder buses are free if you don't travel through any further zones

Feeder buses in Dubai are an essential part of the public transport system, connecting passengers from metro stations to communities and areas surrounding them. These buses are designed to ensure that commuters can easily access the metro and cover more ground. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) operates these feeder bus services, with routes designated by the letter 'F' followed by a number.

The feeder bus fare is included in your overall ticket price when travelling in Dubai. This means that if you don't travel through any further zones on your bus route, your feeder bus journey is effectively free of charge. To ensure that you are not charged extra, remember to check in and check out using your nol card when boarding and alighting the feeder bus. The check-in points are located at the front and middle of the bus, and you need to swipe your nol card over these points upon entry and exit.

It is important to note that to benefit from the continuous fare, you must transfer from the metro to the feeder bus within 30 minutes. Additionally, the routes and frequencies of feeder buses can change from time to time, so it is advisable to check the latest information online or at the stations.

Fares for feeder buses are incorporated into your overall ticket price

The feeder bus service in Dubai is an extensive network of buses that operate from every metro station, connecting passengers to residential and commercial areas. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) operates these buses, with services running during metro operating hours.

To ensure you are not charged extra for your feeder bus journey, remember to check in and check out using your nol card. You must also transfer from the metro to the feeder bus within 30 minutes for the fare to remain continuous. Check-in points are located at the front and middle of the bus, and you need to swipe your nol card over these points when entering and exiting the feeder bus.

The RTA provides a journey planner to help you calculate your overall ticket price, taking into account the number of zones and different modes of transport used.

Routes for each station can be difficult to find

While feeder buses operate at every metro station in Dubai, it can be difficult to find the exact route and timetable information for each one. This is because the routes and frequencies change regularly. The best way to get up-to-date information is to visit the station and check the timetables, or pick up a route map from bus stations and larger metro stations.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) operates the feeder buses, and you can contact them on 800-9090 (toll-free in the UAE) for more information. The RTA journey planner may also be useful.

Examples of routes

• Rashidiya MS to Mirdif West
• Rashidiya MS to Sharjah
• Gold Souq Bus Station to Union MS to Jaddaf
• Mall of the Emirates MS to Al Barsha 2
• Ibn Battuta MS to Jumeirah Island
• Ibn Battuta MS to Discovery Gardens
• Ibn Battuta MS to Dubai Industrial City
• F18 from Oud Metha MS, along Oud Metha 11th and 12th streets, past American Hospital and Lamcy Plaza
• F42 from Nakheel Harbour MS to Discovery Gardens areas or districts 1-12

The RTA operates the feeder buses

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) operates the feeder buses for the Dubai Metro. These feeder buses are an essential part of the city's public transport system, connecting metro stations to residential and commercial areas. The RTA currently operates around 800 buses on 80 routes in Dubai, with plans to expand this network further.

The feeder bus service has been designed with the commuter in mind, ensuring that the walk to the metro station does not exceed 500 metres. This service is especially useful for those who were previously concerned about the distance to metro stations. The buses operate from dedicated stops outside each metro station, with routes covering the surrounding areas.

The RTA's feeder bus fleet consists of almost 800 buses, with new routes being introduced regularly. For example, 42 new routes were launched within two months as feeder services for the Red Line of the Metro. The average frequency between buses is 10 minutes, reducing to 5 minutes during peak hours and for busy stations.

The RTA's feeder buses are identified by route numbers starting with the letter 'F'. For instance, routes F-46, F43, and F53 originate from the Ibn Battuta Metro Station and serve communities such as The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, and Dubai Industrial City. These route numbers are essential for commuters to navigate the extensive network.

Fares for the feeder buses are incorporated into the overall ticket price for a journey. This means that passengers need to calculate the number of zones they will pass through to determine the fare. If a passenger does not travel through any additional zones, the feeder bus fare is effectively free. However, it is crucial to check in and out with the nol card when using the feeder bus to avoid extra charges.

The feeder buses are aimed at getting passengers from stations to residential or commercial areas

The feeder bus service in Dubai is an extensive network of buses that serve as a connection between Dubai Metro stations and the areas surrounding them, including residential and commercial zones. This service ensures that commuters can easily access the Metro system from various parts of the city.

The feeder buses operate from every metro station, with stops conveniently located outside each one. There are multiple routes for each station, but obtaining precise route and timetable information from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) can sometimes be challenging as they are subject to frequent changes. The RTA operates around 800 buses on 80 routes across Dubai, with plans to expand this network further.

The feeder bus service is designed to bridge the gap between Metro stations and nearby communities, with a maximum walk of 500 metres to reach a feeder bus stop, adhering to international standards. This service plays a pivotal role in encouraging commuters to utilise the Metro system by providing a seamless connection from their starting point to their final destination.

The fares for the feeder buses are incorporated into the overall ticket price for your journey. This means that if you do not travel through any additional zones on your bus route, your feeder bus ride is effectively free of charge. To ensure a continuous fare, you must transfer from the Metro to the feeder bus within 30 minutes. Remember to check in and check out using your nol card when boarding and alighting the feeder bus to avoid extra charges.

Frequently asked questions