Abu Dhabi launches bus routes connecting Etihad Rail station to city hubs
Abu Dhabi Mobility has introduced two new bus lines linking Mohamed Bin Zayed City Rail Station to the Main Bus Station and Al Zahiyah Bus Station, completing passenger journeys across the capital's public transport network.
New Bus Routes Connect Rail Station to City Centers
Abu Dhabi Mobility has launched two new bus routes connecting the Mohamed Bin Zayed City Rail Station to major bus terminals in the capital, providing seamless public transport links for passengers using the newly operational Etihad Rail service.
The MR1 and MR2 lines now link the rail station to the Main Bus Station and Al Zahiyah Bus Station respectively, operating in both directions throughout the day.
The Mohamed Bin Zayed City station, which was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on June 23, 2026, serves as Abu Dhabi's primary passenger rail hub. The station was strategically selected for its central location within the capital's daily movement patterns and proximity to key areas including Mussafah, Shakhbout City and Bani Yas, positioned approximately 30 minutes from Zayed International Airport.
Route Details and Coverage
The MR1 line serves multiple stops including Al Jazeera Club, Al Mushrif Mall and the Al Rawdah interchange before reaching the Main Bus Station. The MR2 line passes through the Al Rawdah interchange and Mazyad Bus Interchange, terminating at Al Zahiyah Bus Station near ADCB headquarters and Hazza'a Mosque.
Al Zahiyah, a central entertainment and commercial district formerly known as the Tourist Club Area, is home to Abu Dhabi Mall, numerous hotels and restaurants, and provides connectivity to the Al Maryah Island business district.
Schedules for both routes are accessible through the Darb app, managed by Abu Dhabi's Integrated Transport Centre, which provides real-time bus schedule information and route planning on both iOS and Android platforms. Timetables are also available on the authority's website.
Supporting Rail Network Launch
The new bus connections support Etihad Rail's passenger service, which launched on June 30, 2026, in an introductory phase connecting Abu Dhabi's Mohamed Bin Zayed City station to Fujairah. The journey between the two cities takes 1 hour and 45 minutes aboard the modern fleet of 13 trains, each capable of carrying up to 400 passengers across Comfort Class and Premium Class service categories.
Ticket prices during the introductory phase start from Dh55 in Comfort Class and Dh120 in Premium Class on the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah route, with a 50% launch discount currently applied. The trains can reach speeds up to 200 km/hr, making intercity travel significantly faster than road alternatives.
The full Etihad Rail passenger network is scheduled to officially launch on September 30, 2026, when Dubai and Al Dhaid stations open. Once Dubai station becomes operational, travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is projected at just 57 minutes.
When fully operational, the network is expected to connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE, with annual passenger numbers projected to reach 36.5 million. The integration of bus services with rail connectivity forms a critical component of the capital's public transport infrastructure, providing first-mile and last-mile solutions for passengers across Abu Dhabi.
