Getting around Dubai without a car just became a little easier.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has expanded its Bus-On-Demand service to Al Satwa, Al Quoz and Mirdif, taking the total number of neighbourhoods covered across the city to 20.

The app-based service is designed to make short trips quicker and more convenient by connecting residential communities with nearby Metro stations and public transport hubs.

The expansion comes as more residents continue to use the service. During the first six months of 2026, Bus-On-Demand carried more than 527,000 passengers, a 25.1 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

June was the busiest month so far, with 105,990 passengers using the service.

To meet growing demand, the RTA has increased the fleet to 55 buses while expanding the service area by 54 per cent.

How to book

Booking a ride is simple. Download the Dubai Bus-On-Demand app, create an account and choose your pick-up and drop-off locations.

Passengers can pay using credit cards, debit cards or nol cards directly through the app.

Areas covered

The service is now available in:

• Al Barsha
• Al Nahda
• Dubai Silicon Oasis
• Dubai Academic City
• Al Rigga
• Port Saeed
• Business Bay
• Downtown Dubai
• Oud Metha
• Al Karama
• Barsha Heights
• Al Mankhool
• DIFC
• Al Warqaa
• Dubai Investment Park
• Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)
• Al Qusais
• Al Satwa
• Al Quoz
• Mirdif

The RTA says it will continue expanding the service as part of Dubai’s plan to make public transport smarter, more convenient and more sustainable.

Rain has made its return to parts of the UAE, with showers reported in Bada Zayed in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region on Wednesday afternoon.

The rainfall comes as convective clouds continue to develop across several parts of the country, creating the potential for more showers through the evening.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said unstable weather is expected between 1.30pm and 10pm, with convective clouds likely to bring rainfall of varying intensity, strong winds and reduced visibility in some areas.

Residents in affected areas are advised to stay updated with the latest weather alerts and drive carefully, as sudden rain and blowing dust could impact road conditions.

Weather maps show the heaviest cloud cover over large parts of Al Dhafra, with additional cloud formations developing over parts of Al Ain and the Ras Al Khaimah-Fujairah border.

Videos shared on social media showed rain falling in the UAE on Wednesday afternoon, with local weather trackers reporting good rainfall across the area.

The NCM has advised residents in affected areas to stay updated with the latest weather alerts, as convective clouds can develop quickly and may bring sudden showers, gusty winds and blowing dust.

Forecasters continue to monitor the situation and are expected to issue further updates if weather conditions change.

Dubai Police is reminding parents and guardians to take extra care at home by keeping windows and balconies secure and never leaving young children unattended near open spaces.

The safety advisory comes as authorities continue to raise awareness about preventing falls from windows and balconies, stressing that many accidents can be avoided with a few simple precautions.

Dubai Police urged residents always to keep windows and balcony doors securely closed or locked when they are not in use. 

Parents have been advised through earlier campaigns to remove any chairs, tables, boxes, plant pots or any other objects that children could use to climb onto balcony railings or window ledges.

Officials also advised families to keep window and balcony keys out of children’s reach and to never leave young children alone in a room with an open window or balcony access.

The Our Children’s Safety This Summer campaign forms part of Dubai Police’s ongoing awareness drives, which encourage families to stay vigilant and create a safer home environment for children.

Key safety tips:

• Keep windows and balcony doors securely closed or locked.
• Never leave children unattended near open windows or balconies.
• Remove furniture or objects that children can climb on.
• Store window and balcony keys safely out of children’s reach.
• Always supervise young children, especially in high-rise homes.
• For emergencies, call 999