Buses in the F1 fast lane

This year’s Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place on Sunday. Christopher Pike / The National

ABU DHABI // Racegoers are being encouraged to use free park-and-ride bus services to get to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Yas Island this weekend.

The Department of Transport said 160 buses will be running from Friday to Sunday to pick up fans from either Shahama or Nation Towers on the Corniche.

As well as stopping at Yas Marina Circuit, the buses will also stop at Yas Mall, Ferrari World and other attractions on Yas Island.

For those who want to drive, there are 6,000 spots available at Gateway W car park for guests with a W car pass. The Gateway Blue route will connect the car park to the grandstands and the du Arena.

“We will not use Dubai buses this year, but will make use of those within our network and capacity,” said Saeed Al Hameli, general manager of the bus division at DoT.

Last year Abu Dhabi rented buses from Dubai to ensure regular routes were unaffected by the Grand Prix services.

“We’re focusing on the park-and-ride services in Shahama to ease congestion and provide seamless travel to Yas Island,” Mr Al Hameli said.

Those who do not have Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management or Formula One Management car passes may use the Green Route, or the free park-and-ride services in Shahama, which has more than 6,000 parking spots.

Buses will carry fans directly to a loading area at Gate 18 at Yas Marina Circuit, and visitors can choose to walk to their designated gate, or use the circuit circular bus service to get to their desired location.

The Circular Pink Route will connect all major points around Yas Island, including the Yas Plaza hotels, Ferrari World, Yas Water World, Yas Mall, The One, the public bus network and all the grandstands.

Public bus network services, existing routes that connect Yas Island to Abu Dhabi city, Abu Dhabi International Airport and the suburbs, will also be available for visitors.

Routes 170, 180, 190, 195, 200, 201, 202, 203, 300, 302 and 304 will run daily from 8am to 11pm, from Abu Dhabi to Yas Island.

The DoT will provide five buses for Takatof volunteers, while 30 Takatof courtesy cars will be available for elderly visitors, the sick or disabled, Mr Al Hameli said.

“This year we’ve introduced a new free shuttle service from the city itself to Yas Island,” he said.

The public can use the Yas Direct park-and-ride service at Nation Tower on the Corniche. About 3,000 spaces are available in the car park.

Five 25-seater buses will take guests to Yas Mall and Ferrari World for free. The buses will run every 30 minutes, from noon to 1am.

“There’s free Wi-Fi on-board and guests are assured of a faster route to Yas Island from the Corniche,” Mr Al Hameli said.

Abu Dhabi-bound guests can use the shuttle service after the races and concerts. A fleet of 1,000 taxis will be available over the weekend at the race and at all entertainment activities on Yas Island.

Free high-speed Wi-Fi will be available in some of the Mercedes Vito compact vans, according to TransAD.

A group of Emiratis trained in event management was part of the DoT workforce responsible for designing and implementing the transport arrangements for the three-day event.

“We have a safe evacuation plan in place for all our events,” Mr Al Hameli said. “Eighty buses on the island will immediately respond to any emergency evacuation situation.”