Dubai Intercity Buses to Sharjah & Ajman Halted Due to UAE Severe Weather – RTA Announcement

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a temporary suspension of all intercity bus services linking Dubai with Sharjah and Ajman. This precautionary measure is in direct response to the severe weather conditions currently impacting the UAE, including heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds, which have made cross-emirate travel hazardous.

Key Intercity Bus Routes Affected

The suspension, effective immediately until further notice, impacts major bus routes that thousands of daily commuters use for work, education, and business between the emirates. The RTA stated that the decision was driven solely by public safety concerns, as key highways have experienced flooding and poor visibility. Local bus services within each emirate continue to operate, albeit with potential delays.

Severe Weather Conditions Across the UAE

The UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has reported widespread heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and hail. This has led to significant water accumulation on critical roads like Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road—essential corridors for intercity buses. Additional complications arise from strong winds, blowing dust reducing visibility, and rough sea conditions, which have also paused some ferry services.

Also Read: Dubai Braces for Days of Unsettled Weather: Rain, Wind, and Safety Warnings Issued

Official Travel Advice and Alternatives

Authorities, including Dubai Police and the RTA, are urging residents to avoid non-essential travel, particularly across emirate borders. For stranded commuters, the Dubai Metro remains operational as a reliable alternative for travel within the city.

To stay informed, passengers are advised to:

• Monitor RTA social media channels, especially their official X (Twitter) account.
• Use the S’hail app for real-time service updates and journey planning.
• Contact the RTA call centre for specific route information.

Safety Response and Resumption Timeline

The RTA has not provided a fixed timeline for resuming intercity bus services. Officials confirm that operations will restart only after a joint safety assessment with police confirms that roads are fully safe. The authority has activated its Command and Control Centre and deployed rapid response teams to manage flooding and clear roadways.

While the suspension disrupts daily routines, the RTA emphasizes it is a necessary step to ensure passenger safety during the unstable weather. They have apologized for the inconvenience and thanked the public for their cooperation.