Abu Dhabi introduces an innovative Automated Rapid Transit (ART) service, a rail-less vehicle described as a hybrid of a bus and a tram, with a capacity of 200 passengers, operating on weekends.
Features of the ART Service
The ART service is an eco-friendly, emission-free, air-conditioned electric vehicle that makes designated stops on popular routes, with plush seats, straps for standing passengers, panoramic windows, and digital notification of stops. It operates between Reem Mall and Marina Mall via Zayed the First Street and seamlessly shifts lanes like a regular public transport bus.
Integration and Expansion
The ART service bears the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) markings of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) and has been introduced on Yas Island and Saadiyat Island before serving the mainland. Stops have been marked with stickers on the pavement, with dedicated slots for ARTs to stop in some places and regular public bus stations in others. The ARTs are expected to be the new phase of Abu Dhabi’s futuristic smart mobility project.
Community Response
Community members are pleasantly surprised to find a Dubai tram-like vehicle operating in Abu Dhabi City without any specific tracks or infrastructure changes to the streets. Residents laud the service, which coincides with the celebrations of the ‘Year of Sustainability’ in the UAE. Commuters can track live timings through Google Maps and the official app Darbi on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and scan the QR code on the ARTs and some bus stops for further details and updates about the service, timings, and new destinations.
ART Service Routes
The ARTs currently connect Reem Mall and Marina Mall through popular destinations like Galleria Al Maryah Island, Marina Square, Sheikh Hazza Bin Sultan Mosque, Qasr Al Hosn, Khalidiya Park, Abu Dhabi Energy Centre, Sheikha Fatima Park, Corniche, NMC Specialty and LLH hospitals, and City Seasons Al Hamra, Sheraton Al Khalidiya, and Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi hotels. The first trip from Reem Mall starts at 10 am, and the last one is by 2 pm, while service from Marina Mall begins at 11 am, and the final trip is by 3 pm.
The introduction of the ART service in Abu Dhabi City is a great addition to easing urban travel, enhancing sustainable mobility in the city without any specific tracks or infrastructure changes to the streets. The ARTs are an innovative, emission-free service that accommodates up to 200 passengers and operates on weekends between Reem Mall and Marina Mall via popular destinations like Galleria Al Maryah Island and Corniche.
