Dubai RTA launching airport-hotel shuttle service

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority is to commence a new shuttle bus service in the coming days which will ferry passengers at Dubai International Airport to and from their hotels, according to a report.

The Sky Bus service will be launched as a pilot project for six months offering direct connectivity to 26 hotels across the city, operated through eight buses on four routes, Gulf News reports.

It adds that the service, tentatively scheduled to commence by May 15, will initially start from Terminal 3 and then Terminal 1 at Dubai International Airport. The shuttle service will cost AED15 (US $4) per head for every trip, which will include free WiFi service on the move.

According to the newspaper these will be the initial routes:

-Route One will head to Sheikh Zayed Road, serving popular hotels such as Fairmont, Radisson Royal, Crown Plaza, Shangri La
-Route Two will serve Al Barsha 1 area, connecting with hotels like Ramada Chelsea, Marmara Hotel Apartments, Ibis Hotel, City Max
-Route Three will serve the Karama and Mankhool areas, catering to Burjuman Arjaan, Regent Palace, Four Point Sheraton, Park Regis-Route Four with travel around Garhoud, serving Al Bustan Rotana, Le Meridien, Premier Inn and Holiday Inn Express.

The service is being launched after feedback from tourists and RTA Director of Bus Operations Mohammad Al Ali told Gulf News there are plans to expand it further.

“Our plan is to deploy at least 30 buses in the next phase and serve most of the hotels in Dubai,” he said. “We have taken great care to make the service very attractive and hope more people will take advantage of these buses.”