Abu Dhabi launches electric ART bus route to connect Saadiyat Island's cultural landmarks

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Mobility (Integrated Transport Centre) has launched a new electric ART bus service, Route AR2, designed to connect passengers seamlessly to the major cultural landmarks of Saadiyat Island.

The service, which begins November 17, will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. with 30-minute intervals. 

According to the centre, the route will link key stops across the Saadiyat Cultural District, including teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Saadiyat Walk.

The ART buses, an advanced electric transport system that operates without the need for rail tracks, run along a nearly 27-kilometer route on Abu Dhabi Island.

Each vehicle can accommodate around 200 passengers, and the initiative is part of a wider effort to enhance the emirate’s public transport network, improve operational efficiency, and encourage greater reliance on shared and environmentally friendly mobility options.

As part of the rollout, Abu Dhabi Mobility also announced that ART services on Al Reem Island will be discontinued starting November 15. 

Regular public buses will continue to serve the area, operating from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. with 60-minute intervals to ensure uninterrupted service for commuters.

In a parallel digital upgrade, the authority introduced a new feature allowing passengers to top up their “Hafilat” public transport cards through the TAMM platform. 

After recharging online, riders can update their balance by tapping their cards on any in-bus validator after two hours or by using any Hafilat card vending machine for immediate balance activation.