Making travel easier in Dubai with unified fare structure

By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter www.gulfnews.com 

 

Dubai: A unified fare structure for mass transport modes will be implemented with the launch of the Dubai Metro on September 9.

Dubai has been divided into five mobility zones to effectively implement the new unified fare structure.

Commuters have to pay only once to complete their journey whether they use the Metro or buses or both to reach their destination but there is a certain time limit to complete their journey.

“The new fare structure allows a commuter to use different modes of transport and pay for one single journey only by following the correct transfer rule,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).A commuter has to complete his journey within 90 minutes if he is using a single journey ticket for a short journey with a minimum fare for up to three kilometres. He will be allowed one free transfer between two modes of transport – train and bus or bus and train, within 30 minutes.

If a passenger holds a ticket for one zone or multiple zones, he will have to complete his journey within 180 minutes and he will be allowed a maximum of three free transfers between the different modes of transport. Transfer between the two different modes of transport should be made within 30 minutes of each trip to avoid new fare charges.

For an example, if a user wants to travel on Dubai Metro and then take a bus to reach a certain destination, the user has to take the bus within 30 minutes of getting off the train to avoid charges for the second fare. If he transfers from one mode of transport to another within 30 minutes, he will be charged only once.

Fares for the Metro and public buses will range from a minimum of Dh1.8 to a maximum of Dh6.5 for a single journey.

The minimum fare for the Metro or the bus for a short trip for up to three kilometres will be Dh1.8 if a passenger is using a prepaid card while it will cost Dh2 in the case of using a standard single journey paper ticket.

The maximum fare for a single journey will be Dh6.5 in the case of using a paper ticket and Dh5.8 in the case of using the card. The fares will be valid for trains, public buses and water buses to complete a single journey. This means a passenger using the Metro can continue his trip on buses without paying any additional fare.

The RTA has also given various fare options to passengers including daily and monthly passes. The daily pass will cost Dh14 for unlimited trips on the Metro and public buses all over the city. The monthly passes range from Dh100, Dh180 and Dh270 depending on the travel requirements.

Using public transport in Dubai will be quite simple once the new unified fare collection system is in place with the launch of the Dubai Metro on September 9 and the feeder bus service. Commuters will be able to complete a single journey for as little as Dh1.8 either on the Metro or public buses – or can use a monthly pass for Dh270 for unlimited travel all over the city for 30 days.

BUS FEEDER ROUTES

Al Rashidiya

• F01 Rashidiya – Nadd Al Hamar
• F02 Rashidiya – Rashidiya
• F03 Rashidiya – Mirdiff West
• F04 Rashidiya – Mirdiff East
• F05 Rashidiya – Al Mizhar
• F10 Rashidiya – Al Warqa

Emirates

• F06 Emirates – Al Twar 3
• F07 Emirates – Garhoud
• F08 Emirates – Al Twar 2
• F09 Emirates – Festival City

Trade Centre

• F11 Trade Centre – Emirates Towers – Financial Centre – Satwa BS

Burj Dubai MS

• F13 Dubai Mall
• F16 Burj Dubai – Business Bay – Al Wasl – Jumeirah 2

Business Bay

• F18 Jumeirah 3 – Umm Suqueim 1
• F20 Business Bay – Al Safa 1

Al Quoz

• F15 Al Quoz – Al Qouz Residential Area
• F25 Al Quoz – Burj Al Arab
• F26 Al Quoz – Al Safa 2

First Gulf Bank

• F27 First Gulf Bank – Umm Al Sheif
• F28 First Gulf Bank – Umm Suqeim 2

Mall Of Emirates

• F29- Al Barsha 2
• F30 MOE – Arabian Ranches
• F31 MOE – Sharaf DJ – The Meadows East
• F33 MOE – Al Barsha 3

Nakheel

• F32 Nakheel – Knowledge Village
• F35 Nakheel – Emirates Hills
• F38 Nakheel – Meadows

Dubai Internet City

• F34 Dubai Internet City – Greens

Marina

• F37 Marina – Dubai Marina
• Jumeirah Lake TW
• F40 Jumeirah Lake TW – Marina

Nakheel Harbour and Tower

• F41 Ibn Battuta – Jumeirah Island
• F43 Ibn Battuta – Discovery Garden
• F44 Ibn Battuta – Gardens
• F46 Ibn Battuta – Green Community
• F48 Ibn Battuta – DIP
• F50 Ibn Battuta – Jebel Ali Freezone BS
• F53 Ibn Battuta – Dubai Industrial City

Dubal

• F51 Dubal – Dewa Station

Jebel Ali Ind.

• F47 Jebel Ali Ind. – Jebel Ali Industrial Area

Jafza MS

• F54 Jafza – Jafza South
• F55 Jafza – Jafza Office Towers

Gulf News explains

Sample Journey: Example

1: Journey from Dubai International Airport Station to Union Square (which falls within one zone) 

– Cash fare with Red Nol card ticket Dh2.5
– Silver Nol card (economy) Dh2.30 
– Gold Nol card (VIP) Dh4.6

Example 2: Journey from Dubai International Airport to Gulf News office (two adjacent zones)

– Cash fare with Red Nol Card Ticket Dh4.5 
– Silver Nol card (economy) Dh4.10
– Gold Nol card (VIP) Dh8.20

Example 3: Journey from Dubai International Airport to Jebel Ali Free Zone Station: (more than two zones) 

– Cash fare with Red Nol card ticket Dh6.50
–  Silver Nol card (economy) Dh5.80
– Gold Nol Card (VIP) Dh11.60

www.gulfnews.com