In the bustling city of Dubai, the 96 Bus Route play a pivotal role in making travel more seamless. Operated by the RTA, the bus is particularly helpful for people travelling between Al Quoz and the industrial areas around Dubai Investment Park. Besides, the bus passes through several industrial and commercial areas, showcasing the various lucrative destinations along the route.
Whether you are a daily commuter or a casual visitor, the bus lets you travel for a very economical fare while enjoying top-class travel. This comprehensive article will articulate everything you need to know about the 96 Bus Route, timetable, fare, and other travel tips that make your journey more efficient.
Quick Highlights of the 96 Bus Route
| Description | Details |
|---|---|
| Bus number | 96 |
| Main route | Al Quoz Bus Station ↔ Dubai Investment Park |
| Major destination | Dubai Investment Park 1 / Danata area |
| Main areas served | Al Quoz, Jebel Ali, Dubai Investment Park |
| Number of stops | Around 30–35, depending on direction/data source |
| First services | Around 6:00 AM on most days |
| Late services | Around 10:00–11:00 PM, depending on day and direction |
| Fare | Based on Dubai’s zone system |
| Payment | nol card |
| Route update | Rerouted via Al Yalayis Street/Jebel Ali from July 17, 2026 |
RTA’s official timetable identifies the service as Al Quoz, Bus Station – Dubai Investment Park, while RTA’s July 2026 network update confirms that Route 96 towards Al Quoz was rerouted via Al Yalayis Street/Jebel Ali instead of Expo Road.
Must Read: X94 bus route.
96 Bus Route and Main Stops
The 96 bus route covers a long corridor rather than a handful of stops. Starting from Al Quoz, it moves through industrial and commercial areas before continuing towards Jebel Ali and Dubai Investment Park.
Important stops listed in current route data include:
| S.N. | Stops |
|---|---|
| 1 | Al Quoz Bus Station |
| 2 | Queen Palace Factory |
| 3 | Galadari Printing & Publishing |
| 4 | Khaleej Times |
| 5 | Latifa Bin Hamdan Street |
| 6 | Oasis Village |
| 7 | AST Company |
| 8 | Ahmadya Contracting Labour Camp |
| 9 | Qumaish Contracting Labour Camp |
| 10 | 7 Up Staff Accommodation |
| 11 | National Cement Corporation Staff Accommodation |
| 12 | Atlas Marine Service |
| 13 | Jumbo Electronics Stores |
| 14 | Electro Industrial Corporation |
| 15 | Classic Crystal |
| 16 | Interchange 4 |
| 17 | Grand Hypermarket B |
| 18 | Landmark Group |
| 19 | Al Khaleej Al Madina Supermarket |
| 20 | Nuzul Labour Accommodation |
| 21 | Parco Hypermarket |
| 22 | Qaser Al Kabayel Center |
| 23 | Jebel Ali Industrial Area 11 |
| 24 | Amssar Wood Manufacturing |
| 25 | Falcon Chemicals |
| 26 | Solico |
| 27 | Sobha Contracting Labour Camp |
| 28 | Depa Contracting Labour Camp |
| 29 | Seven Seas Steel Industries |
| 30 | Dubai Contracting Labour Camp |
| 31 | Insulite Block Factory |
| 32 | Dubai Investment Park |
96 Bus Timings in Dubai
The 96 bus schedule changes slightly according to the day, traffic conditions and direction of travel. Available timetable data shows services beginning around 6:00 AM on most days, with later services extending into the evening.
Do not rely on a single fixed interval such as “every 20 minutes.” Published data shows that the gap can vary considerably during the day. For an exact departure, check the current RTA journey planner or S’hail before leaving. RTA provides an online timetable search and journey-planning tools.
96 Bus Route Map
96 Bus Route from Al Quoz to Dubai Investment Park
For passengers starting at Al Quoz Bus Station, Bus 96 is useful when travelling towards Jebel Ali and Dubai Investment Park.
The journey passes through a mixture of:
- Al Quoz industrial areas
- Staff accommodation areas
- Commercial facilities
- Jebel Ali Industrial Area
- Warehouses and manufacturing businesses
- Dubai Investment Park
This makes the route particularly practical for employees working in industrial zones. It can also be useful for visitors staying outside central Dubai who need to reach workplaces or accommodation in the western part of the emirate.
Bus 96 from Dubai Investment Park to Al Quoz
The return journey follows the opposite direction, starting around Dubai Investment Park and heading towards Al Quoz.
If you are travelling back after work, allow extra time during the evening because road traffic can affect the actual journey. A timetable gives planned departure times, not a guarantee of the exact arrival time at every stop.
The route’s July 2026 modification is especially important for regular passengers. RTA confirmed that Route 96 towards Al Quoz now uses Al Yalayis Street/Jebel Ali rather than Expo Road.
Good to know about 95A bus route.
96 Bus Fare and nol Card
The fare for Bus 96 is not a fixed AED 5 or AED 12 charge. Dubai public transport uses a zone-based fare system.
With a regular Silver nol card, the current published fares are:
| Zones crossed | Silver nol fare |
|---|---|
| Within 1 zone | AED 3 |
| 2 adjacent zones | AED 5 |
| More than 2 zones | AED 7.50 |
The fare is automatically calculated according to the zones travelled. RTA also states that passengers can transfer between buses and Metro within the permitted transfer period, with the total journey fare calculated according to the zones crossed.
Cash is not accepted for regular RTA public transport journeys, so make sure your nol card has sufficient balance before boarding.
Best Travel Tips for the 96 Bus Route
If you are travelling on Bus 96 for work or exploring Dubai on a budget, these tips can make the journey easier:
- Check the timetable before leaving. The frequency is not identical throughout the day.
- Avoid relying on old route maps. RTA changed Route 96 in July 2026.
- Carry a charged nol card. You cannot simply pay the driver with cash.
- Allow extra time during peak traffic. The route crosses busy parts of Dubai and Jebel Ali.
- Use S’hail or RTA journey-planning tools for current departures.
- Check the destination display carefully. Bus routes can operate in opposite directions.
- Travel earlier when possible if you have an important appointment.
- Keep water with you, particularly when walking between industrial-area stops during hot weather.
FAQs
What is the 96 bus route in Dubai?
The 96 bus is an RTA urban bus service designed to serve Al Quoz Bus Station and Dubai Investment Park.
What time does Bus 96 start?
The bus generally starts at approximately 6:00 AM, although the exact first departure can vary by day and direction. Always check the latest RTA timetable before travelling.
How much is the 96 bus fare?
Fares vary depending on the zone travelled. A Silver nol card costs AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 for two adjacent zones and AED 7.50 when travelling across more than two zones.
Does Bus 96 go to Dubai Investment Park?
Yes. Dubai Investment Park is the destination shown in RTA’s timetable for Route 96.
Did the 96 bus route change in 2026?
Yes. From 17 July 2026, RTA rerouted Route 96 towards Al Quoz via Al Yalayis Street/Jebel Ali instead of Expo Road.
Final Thoughts
Finally, the bus has attracted all the passengers with its uniqueness and fare. But passengers need to be informed about its route and schedule because the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) made some changes on 17 July 2026. As a passenger, I recommend checking the live RTA information before departure, especially on weekends, holidays or major events.