Route 88: Al Rolla to Al Saja'a Terminal

Downtown to Industrial Zone via Airport Area

Route 88 provides downtown Al Rolla direct connectivity to Al Saja'a Industrial Oasis, incorporating the unique routing feature of passing through airport vicinity before reaching industrial destination.

Operating 6:00 AM–10:25 PM (return slightly different timing), this 35-40 minute journey at AED 8 (AED 6 Sayer card) serves industrial workers, commercial employees, and mixed transit purposes.

Unique Routing Through Airport Area

Geographic Path

Route 88 traverses:

• Al Arouba Street: Major downtown commercial corridor
• Dhaid Road: Key connector linking central Sharjah to eastern zones
• Airport Area Geography: Passes near Sharjah International Airport without terminal focus
• Final Destination: Al Saja'a Terminal

Unique Characteristic

Route 88's distinctive feature—passing airport area without major airport-terminal focus—serves specific geographic constituencies. Passengers in airport-vicinity neighborhoods access Al Saja'a without extra transfers. The routing reflects planned geographic optimization rather than arbitrary stops.

Morning peaks bring industrial workers; evening brings returns. The 14-minute frequency (similar to Routes 1, 8, 9 Rolla-Sahara service) reflects system-wide high-frequency planning for major routes.

Downtown-Industrial Connectivity

Route 88 enables downtown professionals to access Al Saja'a industrial employment and validates industrial workers as legitimate transit users from downtown origins.

Cost Comparison

• Private Transport: 20-25 AED from Rolla to Al Saja'a
• Route 88 Cost: AED 6 with Sayer card
• Savings: Approximately 97% cost reduction for regular commuters

Economic Integration

The route represents integrated transit connecting commercial headquarters with manufacturing operations. Route 88 embodies economic connectivity—supporting cross-sector employment patterns. The route validates industrial zones as transit priorities equivalent to shopping destinations or airports.

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Route Information Summary

Route Characteristics

Geographic Segments

Downtown Start

• Al Arouba Street: Central business district with commercial offices and retail

Connector Corridor

• Dhaid Road: Major arterial road linking central Sharjah to eastern industrial zones

Airport Vicinity

• Near Sharjah International Airport: Unique geographic feature
• No Terminal Focus: Differentiates from dedicated airport routes (14, 15)
• Neighborhood Access: Serves airport-area residential communities

Industrial Destination

• Al Saja'a Industrial Oasis: 14-million-square-foot manufacturing complex

Passenger Demographics

Industrial Workers

• Factory Employees: Manufacturing and production staff
• Shift Workers: Various industrial operation schedules
• Technical Personnel: Maintenance and specialized roles

Commercial Employees

• Downtown Professionals: Business-to-industry roles
• Sales Representatives: Client visits to industrial zones
• Management: Corporate oversight of operations

Airport-Vicinity Residents

• Neighborhood Access: Convenient industrial zone access
• Transfer Avoidance: Direct route without downtown changes

Strategic Importance

Industrial Accessibility

• Employment Enablement: Critical for industrial workforce access
• Economic Support: Infrastructure enables manufacturing operations
• Cost-Effective: Affordable commuting for modest-wage workers

System Integration

• High Frequency: 14-minute headways match premier shopping routes
• Extended Hours: 6:00 AM - 10:25 PM accommodates shift variations
• Downtown Connection: Direct link from commercial core to industrial zones

Geographic Optimization

• Airport Routing: Efficient path using major corridors
• Neighborhood Service: Airport-vicinity communities served
• Transfer Reduction: Single-route industrial access from downtown