Surf while you travel between the cities

The RTA is testing out a new Wi-Fi service on its bus routes from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Fujairah.

DUBAI // Passengers on five intercity buses can while away the time surfing on the internet.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is running a pilot project providing Wi-Fi on two Dubai-Abu Dhabi buses, two Dubai-Fujairah buses, and one between Dubai and Sharjah.

The service is free and will continue until the end of the year.

"We will then look at our business model and see how to best implement it," said Mohammed Al Ali, director of the RTA's planning and business development department.

Mr Al Ali said the RTA hoped to have the service on all intercity buses by the middle of next year.

"We are still designing our business model," he said. "This will determine if we will charge a fee or offer the service for free with some kind of sponsorship or advertisement plan to cover costs."

But reports of introducing Wi-Fi in bus shelters were incorrect.

"The trips are too short for anyone to take advantage of such a service," Mr Al Ali said.