Massive mobility push: RTA unveils new bus shelters, driver training branch

Image credit: RTA/Website

In a significant push to modernise the emirate’s mobility ecosystem, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has advanced two major initiatives aimed at improving public transport accessibility and service efficiency. With the near-completion of hundreds of new bus shelters and the opening of a new driver training and testing branch in Al Quoz Industrial Area, the authority is reinforcing its commitment to enhancing commuter convenience, supporting sustainable transport, and keeping pace with Dubai’s rapid urban growth.

Dubai’s RTA has completed 595 public bus passenger shelters as part of a wider project to install 762 shelters across multiple key districts.

With the project reaching 89 per cent completion across all phases, the new shelters are expected to support a network used by more than 192 million passengers annually, with some locations serving more than ten routes each, an RTA media report said.

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The shelters have been designed with a contemporary aesthetic and equipped with amenities aimed at improving the overall experience for public transport users. According to the RTA, their distribution strategically targets areas with high-density usage and aligns with the emirate’s long-term transportation planning.

Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the board of executive directors of RTA, 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.”

Al Tayer 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.”

Designed for growing demand

The locations for the new shelters were chosen based on the needs of high-density neighbourhoods and the future operational requirements of the public bus network. RTA has stated that the selection process also prioritised integration with soft mobility options, ensuring seamless travel for users connecting between buses, cycling, and walking pathways.

To accommodate varied passenger volumes, RTA classified the shelters into four categories:

• Primary stops serving more than 750 passengers per day

• Secondary stops serving 250 to 750 passengers

• Basic stops serving 100 to 250 passengers

• Boarding and alighting stops serving fewer than 100 passengers

Several primary shelters include air-conditioned spaces, shaded outdoor seating, and designated advertising areas. In addition, each shelter features an information display screen providing bus maps, schedules, and other route details, supporting real-time decision-making for commuters.

Importantly, the shelters comply with the Dubai Universal Design Code. Dedicated wheelchair spaces and accessibility features align with the emirate’s “My Community… A City for Everyone” initiative, further advancing RTA’s inclusive mobility objectives.

New Al Quoz driver training hub extends service reach

In tandem with the shelter expansion, RTA has approved a new branch for driver training and testing in Al Quoz Industrial Area. Operated by the ‘Eco Drive’ Driving Institute, the facility strengthens the emirate’s driver training network and expands RTA’s licensing service points to 29 locations.

Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of RTA’s Licensing Agency, said the opening enhances customer access to essential services: “The new branch in Al Quoz Industrial Area, operated by ‘Eco Drive’ Driving Institute, enhances the network of service outlets through which RTA provides driver licensing services, bringing them closer to communities across the emirate. This branch is RTA’s 29th service point and represents a significant addition to the driver-training sector, fully aligned with the Government of Dubai’s directions and RTA’s commitment to streamlining and simplifying service delivery for customers.”

Mahboob added: “As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance driver-training facilities in line with the modern standards that characterise the Emirate of Dubai, we worked closely with the owners of Eco Drive Driving Institute to ensure that the new branch is licensed in a renewed format and in accordance with standards that meet customer expectations, both in its overall appearance and in the facilities and equipment it provides.”

The Al Quoz branch offers a full suite of services, including transaction processing, opening traffic files, training, theoretical tests, and internal practical exams via a smart light-vehicle testing yard. The centre operates daily from Monday to Sunday, 8:00am to 11:00pm, with a Friday prayer break from 12:30pm to 2:30pm.

Together, the two initiatives underscore RTA’s continued investment in transport infrastructure and customer-centric mobility services.

The near-completion of the shelter network and the expansion of the driver training ecosystem reflect the authority’s long-term strategy to enable easier, safer, and more sustainable travel throughout Dubai. As the emirate evolves, these developments reinforce its position as a global leader in smart and integrated urban mobility.