Tests JLT’s new feeder service to see if it cuts the 20-minute walk to Sobha Realty Metro Station.
Parked outside Dubai’s Sobha Realty Metro Station, the green bus immediately caught attention. JLT’s new electric feeder service was waiting to pick up passengers, offering a welcome alternative to the long walk many office workers and residents in the area are familiar with.
Boarded the new JLT service on Saturday, August 1, to experience the route firsthand, assess the journey time and find out whether it truly makes the final stretch of commuters’ daily trips more convenient.
For commuters travelling to the clusters within Jumeirah Lakes Towers, the answer appears straightforward: yes, it does make the journey easier.
Starting from the Metro station
Took Loop 2, the route that begins at Sobha Realty Metro Station, travels around the eastern side of JLT and returns to the same station.
The service aims to address a common challenge for commuters in Jumeirah Lakes Towers. For many passengers, reaching the Metro station is only part of the journey. Getting to offices or homes located deeper inside the community can still involve a 15 to 20-minute walk, particularly for those heading to distant clusters.
The new feeder bus helps bridge that gap by stopping at RTA bus stops across JLT, allowing passengers to get closer to their final destinations.
What the ride was like
After departing from Sobha Realty Metro Station, the electric bus followed its loop route through the neighbourhood, stopping near various clusters as passengers boarded and exited.
At each stop, the bus waited for around a minute, giving commuters enough time to get on or off comfortably. The journey itself was smooth and straightforward, allowing passengers to avoid crossing roads and walking in the heat.
According to the driver, the complete loop from Sobha Realty Metro Station and back takes between 10 and 22 minutes, depending on traffic conditions and peak-hour demand.
For many commuters, the service can turn a lengthy walk into a short and more comfortable ride.
‘It made the last part of my journey easier’
Among the passengers on board was Venkatesh, who travels from Karama to work in Cluster V. His daily commute involves taking the Metro from ADCB Metro Station before getting off at Sobha Realty Metro Station, followed by a walk of more than 15 minutes to his workplace.
“When I saw this bus, I asked whether it would take me closer to my workplace,” Venkatesh said. “It has made the last part of my journey much easier and less stressful. Instead of walking in the heat, I can now take the bus and get down closer to work.”
For commuters like him, the service is not replacing the Metro but improving the final connection between the station and their destination.
A shorter trip to work
Another commuter, Prashanth, who works in Cluster W, said the service had already improved his daily commute.
“I am happy that I no longer have to walk all the way to Cluster W. I can get off at Sobha Realty Metro Station and simply take this bus to work,” he said.
He added that the ride was free when he used the service on Friday and that he was informed free rides could continue the following day.
How payment works
The service costs Dh3 per ride, with passengers required to pay by scanning a QR code. No advance booking is needed.
Is it faster than walking?
For commuters travelling short distances, walking may still be a practical option. However, for those heading to clusters farther from the Metro station — especially during the summer months — the feeder bus offers a more comfortable alternative.
A 15 to 20-minute walk can now be replaced with a short bus ride.
Loop 2 is expected to operate every 20 minutes, meaning passengers who miss a bus may need to wait for the next one. Planning the journey accordingly can help reduce waiting time.
For residents and office workers travelling daily between the Metro and locations deep inside JLT, the new feeder service provides a practical solution for making the last part of the commute smoother and easier.
