Dubai Public Transport, Taxis, and Shared Mobility Achieve 348.1 Million Journeys in H1 2026
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has reported that public transport, shared mobility, and taxi services collectively served approximately 348.1 million passengers in the first half of 2026. This translates to an impressive daily average of nearly 1.9 million passengers, reinforcing the city’s commitment to sustainable and integrated transport solutions.
Comprehensive Transport Usage
The reported figures encompass a wide range of transport modes, including the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, marine transport, taxis, and shared mobility services. These shared mobility services include ride-hailing vehicles, hourly rental cars, and on-demand buses. Additionally, luxury transport options, such as limousines, accounted for 5.7 million passengers during the same period.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, emphasized that these statistics underscore the success of Dubai’s vision for an integrated transport system. He noted that the system has fostered confidence among both residents and visitors, contributing to a culture of sustainable mobility throughout the emirate.
Growth in Public Transport Usage
Al Tayer highlighted a significant increase in the share of trips made via public transport and shared mobility, which rose from 6% in 2006 to 22.3% in 2025. This growth reflects the effectiveness of long-term investments and policies aimed at enhancing the quality of life and boosting Dubai’s global competitiveness.
“The RTA is proceeding according to a strategic vision that makes public transport the most efficient and sustainable option for daily commuting and consolidates Dubai’s position as a global model for sustainable mobility,” Al Tayer stated.
Major Projects Under Development
Several key projects are currently underway to further enhance the transport network. Among these is the 30-kilometre Blue Line of the Dubai Metro, which will feature 14 stations and serve nine key districts expected to accommodate around one million residents as part of the Dubai Urban Plan 2040.
Additionally, the 42-kilometre Gold Line has been approved, with an investment of approximately AED34 billion. This project will include 18 stations and will be Dubai’s first fully integrated underground metro line, connecting with existing Red and Green lines as well as Etihad Rail.
The RTA has also initiated the phased deployment of 637 new buses, including 40 electric buses, all compliant with Euro 6 low-emission standards. This fleet expansion supports plans to transition Dubai’s public bus fleet to 100% electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2050.
Innovations in Mobility
Looking to the future, the RTA has already commenced operations of self-driving taxis and is preparing to launch commercial air taxi services later this year. Progress is also being made on the Dubai Loop project, which aims to enhance connectivity across the city.
During the first half of 2026, the Dubai Metro accounted for the largest share of public transport usage, representing 39.2% of total passengers. Taxis followed closely with 25.5%, while public buses made up 24.4%. Together, these three modes accounted for approximately 89% of all passenger journeys.
Monthly Ridership Insights
January marked the highest monthly ridership, with 73.4 million passengers recorded. Passenger numbers in the subsequent months ranged between 49 million and 66 million. Metro ridership on the Red and Green lines reached approximately 136.5 million passengers during the first six months of the year.
Among interchange stations, BurJuman Station saw the highest usage with 8.4 million passengers, followed by Union Station with 6.5 million passengers. On the Red Line, Al Rigga Station was the busiest with 6.4 million passengers, while Mall of the Emirates Station and Business Bay Station recorded 5.2 million and 5 million passengers, respectively. On the Green Line, Sharaf DG Station ranked first with 4.9 million passengers, followed by Baniyas Station with 3.8 million passengers and Stadium Station with approximately 3.7 million passengers.
Additional Transport Statistics
During the first half of 2026, the Dubai Tram carried 3.8 million passengers, while public buses transported 85.1 million passengers. Marine transport services recorded 8.1 million passengers. Shared mobility services, including ride-hailing vehicles, hourly rentals, and on-demand buses, accounted for 25.7 million passengers, while Dubai’s taxi sector recorded 88.9 million passengers.
The RTA continues to advance initiatives aimed at enhancing integration between public transport, shared mobility services, pedestrian and cycling networks, and smart traffic systems. These efforts are aligned with the objectives of the Dubai Urban Plan 2040 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aiming to increase the share of trips made using public transport and shared mobility to 25% by 2030.
As reported by www.emirates247.com.
Explore the latest digital editions of FAME Delivered in the Magazine section: https://famedelivered.com/magazine/
Published on 2026-08-02 12:29:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk