Public Transport in the Midst of Summer

No Car Means Bus Transport

I got into a minor accident last May which had my car's driver-side door and side mirror damaged. Finally today, after three months since the accident, I was able to bring my car to the garage for repair. I actually brought it there a few weeks after the accident, but the police report did not indicate the damage on my side mirror, so I had to get it rectified first.

The garage is located around 20 kms off the city, and given that I have lots of expenses coming up, taking a cab going back home was not a primary option for me.

Where taking a cab would cost me around AED 80 (~$22), a bus ride would only cost me AED 2 (54cents).

But I've got to say, comfort comes with a price.

_{Hafilat Card for Abu Dhabi Bus Routes}

I have this bus card that I use in rare instances like these that I do not have a car. Hive account@kennyroy gave this to me, while he lost his and so he had to walk all the way home from his office today.

First I had to make sure was that my card had enough credits so I passed by the main bus terminal first before heading to the garage. I didn't want to be caught in the middle of nowhere without balance in the card, especially that I am unfamiliar with the place.

_{The only machine that was working.}

Ironically, there was only one machine that was working inside the main bus terminal. The first machine near the entrance doesn't work - - it does not accept the payment FFS!

In the Middle of the Desert

I finally reached the garage a few minutes past 10am. There were already some people waiting to be attended to, but I was done before 11am.

The service attendant, knowing I was from the city asked me how I was planning to head back. He said bus service was not available in the area, and booking a cab was the best option.

Well, not for me. I did not want to spend too much money for the cab.

I downloaded the Darb App, an app support for commuters in Abu Dhabi. It tells the best transport options from one place to another, any reported accidents, and yes, bus routes and timings.

Based on the app, I had to walk back to the main street from which I exited to go to the garage. I already knew it was a quite a distance to walk, especially in the middle of the day.

_{Which way?}

It was almost a 30 minute walk, and worse, apart from the extreme heat, was that I walked to the wrong direction at first which led me farther to my destination.

It was too humid, my sweat was dripping all over, and the umbrella almost didn't help to block the heat.

I was the only woman in the street!

As in, literally! I was to conscious the whole time, almost afraid that somebody would grab me by the hand. Lol.

16th Street

I finally reached 16th Street! Whew!

I was at the main road and the bus stops were within sight.

As I neared the first bus stop, two busses were already there. Dang! I missed it!

I checked the app and the next bus was only due after 30 minutes. Huhu. My bus was Line 110.

I walked further down to the next bus stop (where my bus would actually stop). Fortunately, it had a shed where I could take cover.

The shed was closed! Thank you, Covid19!

Waiting for a bus used to be convenient even during the summer months. There were air conditioned sheds at each bus stop, but now they are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

I, along with the other passengers, had to wait outside. My sweat still would not stop from dripping, and it felt like all the water in my body got drained already.

I felt like I was going to faint, so I kept on checking the Darb App.

One Minute to Go!

I hang on for dear life. Only one minute left, and my bus would come.

I was finally in the bus at 11:41am. That felt like the longest 40 minutes of my life!

Not in this weather.

I love long walks. I don't mind the distance. I can even endure 10kms early morning walk even with high humidity. But. Not. Under. Extreme. Heat!

I reached home after almost an hour bus ride + walk from the bus stop. I treated myself for a loaded lunch-- I forgot I did not even have breakfast!

8 hours later, my head was still throbbing from the heat I endured that afternoon.

I will be car-less the following 3 days, so I guess we'll be stuck at home during these times.

I am not-so-looking-forward to the day when I would need to fetch my car from the garage. Aww, I would need to go through the same agony of taking the bus and walking from the bus stop to the garage. Haayy...