Abu Dhabi introduces new public transport fare system that integrates city and suburban transport services into the 'Standard Service

Abu Dhabi debuts a new public transport ticket system called the "Standard Service," which will include city and suburban transit services. As per the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), the 'Standard Service' charge will be Dh2 (boarding fee) plus an extra 5 fils for each km covered. The maximum cost per travel would be Dh5.

In order to improve the entire public transport experience in Abu Dhabi, this seeks to cover a larger geographic region with a more straightforward and user-friendly ticket structure.

When travelling by bus, passengers can easily switch between services without having to pay an extra Dh2 boarding charge. The prerequisites are listed below:

• Tap- in to the other service within 60 minutes of the last tap-out.
• Not to transfer in the opposite direction of the journey.
• Maximum 2 transfers using 3 buses.
• Transfer conditions apply between Abu Dhabi Link service and public transportation bus Standard Services.

The distance travelled from the point of boarding to the point of alighting is used to compute fares. Tapping the 'Hafilat' card on the reader is required each time you board and get off the bus in order for the trip to count as a single trip. 

If the card is not tapped, there might be fines and the whole cost of the bus route deducted the next time it is used. This is applicable if a passenger is believed to have kept riding the bus to the conclusion of the route and fails to tap out while switching between services or utilising the bus once more. When getting on and off each bus, passengers are reminded to tap their card on the reader.

The department has expanded the geographical range of public transport passes so that the Standard Service will include city and suburb areas in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra (excluding intercity services). Public Transport Passes are now at the following prices, and are effective as of the date of purchase:

• 7-day pass is worth Dh35
• 30-day pass is worth Dh95
• Updated pasess will be sold as of February 28th, 2024.
• Passes operating under the previous system will stop being sold as of February 27.

There have been no modifications made to the Dh500 yearly passes for students and the free passes for the elderly and persons of determination with a partner. With the exception of intercity trips, these passes will continue to cover the Standard Service in all regions of the emirate. Furthermore, there is still no charge for those who are 10 years of age or younger. 

All passes that were obtained before February 28 will be valid until they expire; they are only valid inside the city limits of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra; the suburbs are not covered by Standard Service.

Public transport passes that are subsidised are available to low-income Emirati families that are engaged in social support initiatives. For this reason, the 30-day pass costs Dh80, while the 7-day pass is available for Dh30.