Dubai’s first smart bus station is now open: Three ways in which your commute is getting an upgrade

Dubai: Are you ready for a completely digital bus station? Imagine getting real-time updates on when the next bus arrives, or topping up your nol card, all through a service delivered through smart screens and kiosks.

That’s the experience waiting for commuters who use the newly opened smart bus station near Mall of the Emirates.

On Sunday, May 10, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the opening of the station, providing details of exactly how the everyday public transport experience will be transformed.

Here is all you need to know.

The bus station is located near Mall of the Emirates and is directly connected to the Mall of Emirates Metro station (Red Line) as well, making it an easy transit point for public transport users.

The station, which can accommodate up to 20 customers at a time also has a dedicated rest area for drivers. Here are some of the ways in which your everyday commute experience is going to change:

The display screen at the station provides real-time updates on when the Metro is about to arrive, the nearest taxi stand location and even how you can get to local landmarks using public transport.

Another dedicated display shows real-time bus arrival information, along with occupancy levels of these buses. This allows commuters to decide on whether they’d like to take the bus, wait for the next one, or replan their journey using the alternative public transport modes.

A smart kiosk at the station also allows commuters to plan their journey, or access services like the ‘lost and found’ service. The kiosk also has the option to connect directly with the RTA call centre, in case you need assistance.

Ticket machines at the station allow bus and Metro users to top up their nol card digitally. For regularly public transport users, a smart vending machine also allows you to purchase beverages and snacks using your nol loyalty points.

For safety and operations management, the station is equipped with AI-powered cameras that monitor crowd movement and detect violations. This helps station operations to run smoothly, by providing real-time data to the operations team.

Apart from connecting to the Metro Red Line, the bus station is also one of the main bus stops in the city, connecting to three Metro feeder bus routes, as well as the following areas in Dubai:

It also serves two seasonal routes to Dubai Miracle Garden and Global Village.