Assalamu Alaikum: New Affordable Bus Service Linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai Reflects Bigger Changes
At first, a new bus route might seem like just another way to get from one place to another. But here in the UAE, where things are changing so fast, this new daily affordable bus between Abu Dhabi and Dubai means a lot more.
For just 25 dirhams, you can now catch a bus four times a day each way from Al Quoz in Dubai to Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. According to Raed Zaidan, the regional manager of Capital Express for Dubai and the Northern Emirates, this route helps people travel between the two emirates easily, cuts down on highway traffic, and supports the country’s goal of expanding public transport.
But if you look closer, the UAE’s public transport plans are about building stronger communities, not just moving people. This bus route joins a network including trains and trams that are helping shape new neighborhoods and connect old ones. With projects like the Dubai Metro Blue Line extension, Abu Dhabi’s upcoming light rail, more intercity buses, and Etihad Rail’s passenger service launching soon, the UAE is growing and changing its cities.
The country, once focused on everyone driving their own cars, is now creating public transport hubs that attract businesses, schools, and other services in new residential areas. Take Al Quoz, for example-a stop on the new bus route that’s already a mix of homes, industry, and culture, known for its arts scene.
Experts call this kind of planning “urban acupuncture” – small, targeted changes that bring bigger social and economic benefits.
Research from a partnership between the London School of Economics and Abu Dhabi University showed that while Abu Dhabi has improved for cyclists and pedestrians, more can be done to connect neighborhoods better. Public transport hubs are key to this.
Buses are very useful because their routes can change as needed, unlike trains that are fixed. They can serve new communities efficiently, helping cities grow more evenly and sustainably.
When reliable, affordable public transport is available, mixed-income neighborhoods can thrive alongside luxury developments. Driving is still common here, but having the option to leave the car at home even one or two days a week can make a big difference for traffic and for the community.
May Allah make it easy for us all to benefit from these improvements and continue to grow our cities in ways that serve everyone.
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