• Mohammed Munsur, 43, from Chittagong, Bangladesh, has been a bus driver for Abu Dhabi Integrated Transport Centre for 15 years. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Mohammed Munsur, 43, from Chittagong, Bangladesh, has been a bus driver for Abu Dhabi Integrated Transport Centre for 15 years. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • During the pandemic, he was one of the first bus drivers to be trained on how to transport Covid patients to quarantine zones
    During the pandemic, he was one of the first bus drivers to be trained on how to transport Covid patients to quarantine zones
  • Mr Munsur's shift starts at the fleet operations office at Al Karamah Bus Depot, where he is assigned a route
    Mr Munsur's shift starts at the fleet operations office at Al Karamah Bus Depot, where he is assigned a route
  • Mr Munsur chats with his supervisor Manaf Maroof before he starts his shift
    Mr Munsur chats with his supervisor Manaf Maroof before he starts his shift
  • He then heads to the parking bay to get the bus ready
    He then heads to the parking bay to get the bus ready
  • He ensures the assigned bus is cleaned inside out
    He ensures the assigned bus is cleaned inside out
  • The bus is also checked thoroughly before it sets off
    The bus is also checked thoroughly before it sets off
  • Mr Munsur inspects the interior of the bus
    Mr Munsur inspects the interior of the bus
  • A bus depot worker fills up the bus with fuel
    A bus depot worker fills up the bus with fuel
  • Once all the checks are carried out, the fleet of buses sets off
    Once all the checks are carried out, the fleet of buses sets off
  • Commuters catch the bus to work in central Abu Dhabi
    Commuters catch the bus to work in central Abu Dhabi
  • Mr Munsur says he has built a bond with his regular passengers, who ask for him if he is on a different route
    Mr Munsur says he has built a bond with his regular passengers, who ask for him if he is on a different route
  • The idea of meeting new people makes the daily commute exciting, Mr Munsur says
    The idea of meeting new people makes the daily commute exciting, Mr Munsur says
  • The buses are inspected for any damage before being released to the next driver
    The buses are inspected for any damage before being released to the next driver
  • Bus drivers catch up for a quick chat over a cup of tea
    Bus drivers catch up for a quick chat over a cup of tea
  • Mr Munsur, fourth from right, describes the other drivers as his 'family away from home'
    Mr Munsur, fourth from right, describes the other drivers as his 'family away from home'

Behind the wheel: A day in the life of an Abu Dhabi bus driver


  • English
  • Arabic

Mohammed Munsur has been working as a bus driver in Abu Dhabi for the past 15 years.

Apart from the long drive and the close bond he shares with his colleagues, it's the passengers he meets along the way that make his trips memorable.

"I have so many regular passengers. If I change my route, they ask for me," he says. "It feels good."

Mr Munsur, 43, moved to the UAE from Chittagong, Bangladesh, in 2003, to work in a hotel. Two years later, he moved to Dubai to work as a bus driver.

Four years on, he shifted base to the UAE capital to work at Abu Dhabi Mobility, previously known as the Integrated Transport Centre.

"I love driving in Abu Dhabi because there's very little traffic," he says.

Mr Munsur has also won many awards at AD Mobility, twice the "best driver" in 2015 and 2016, and a special award for transporting passengers from the airport in Abu Dhabi to quarantine zones during the Covid pandemic.

His day usually starts at 5am and ends at 2pm, with an hour break for his meals.

When he isn't driving people around in the big, blue buses, Mr Munsur turns on the camera to build a social media audience.

"It's a hobby," he admits, one he's excited about.

His skills with the camera have not gone unnoticed at AD Mobility, with bosses often asking that he film special events and guests.

"I never thought I'd become a bus driver," he says, but after 15 years on the job, he says it has helped him build a better life for his family back home in Bangladesh.

He now aims to bring his wife and two daughters to live with him in the UAE and build a home of his own in Bangladesh. "Inshallah, it will happen soon," he says.

THE SIXTH SENSE

Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Rating: 5/5

Results

5.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Al Battar, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer).

6.05pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Good Fighter, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

6.40pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Way Of Wisdom, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

7.15pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Immortalised, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

7.50pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Franz Kafka, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.

8.25pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Mayadeen, Connor Beasley, Doug Watson.

9pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Chiefdom, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer

Updated: July 08, 2024, 7:18 AM