Dubai Taxi Company: CEO Mansoor Alfalasi shares plans, milestones

Bolt’s recent launch in Dubai is a significant milestone, especially considering the growing demand for diverse mobility options. From your perspective, what impact has Bolt had on the taxi and ride-hailing market in Dubai so far? How do you view Bolt’s entry within the context of Dubai Taxi Company’s long-standing leadership in the local transport sector?

Bolt’s launch in Dubai, in partnership with Dubai Taxi Company (DTC), aims to create the UAE’s largest e-hailing platform. Bolt’s entry adds a fresh dynamic to the ride-hailing landscape, complementing the demand for innovative e-hailing solutions, enhancing the digital mobility experience and expanding smart transportation services throughout the emirate, in line with Dubai Taxi’s ambitious growth strategy. We are proud to announce that Bolt has achieved 1 million rides since its launch in December 2024.

For DTC, which has played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s mobility infrastructure, Bolt’s launch aligns with the Dubai government’s directives to transition 80 per cent of taxi trips to e-hailing in the coming years and shares a vision of transforming Dubai into a global benchmark for smart urban mobility. While we recognise the disruption that new players bring, DTC remains confident in its legacy of leadership and its ongoing commitment to adapting and evolving within this vibrant ecosystem.

As part of DTC’s 2025-2029 strategy, you’re focused on innovation, growth, and sustainability. With Bolt entering the market, what key strategies will DTC employ to maintain its position as the preferred mobility service in Dubai? How are you balancing the competitive landscape with your vision for a customer-centric, tech-enabled future?

DTC’s 2025–2029 strategy focuses on innovation, growth, and sustainability to maintain its position as the preferred mobility choice for everyone, prioritising the enhancement of our digital ecosystem, leveraging data-driven insights, and delivering seamless customer-centric experiences from our core offerings.

To maintain our market leadership, we are investing in advanced technologies like AI-powered dispatch systems, predictive analytics for demand management, and robust digital payment solutions. Additionally, we are fostering strategic partnerships with tech providers to co-develop solutions that meet the evolving needs of Dubai’s residents and visitors. By balancing competition with collaboration, we aim to stay ahead while fostering a cohesive and innovative transport ecosystem.

Sustainability is a central theme in both DTC’s strategy and Dubai’s broader mobility goals. Can you provide more insights on DTC’s plans to integrate electric and hybrid vehicles into your fleet? How do you see EV adoption shaping the future of Dubai’s mobility ecosystem, and how does this align with the UAE’s broader sustainability ambitions?

DTC’s commitment to sustainable mobility is evident through its adoption of eco-friendly vehicles, smart technologies, partnerships, and alignment with Dubai’s environmental goals. These efforts contribute not only to a reduction in carbon emissions but also to a greener, more efficient, and sustainable future for urban transport.

Currently above 85 per cent of its fleet is environmentally friendly (hybrid and electric). Road and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai’s target is to reach 100 per cent by 2027, which we expect to reach well ahead of that. The move meets the requirements of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the Green Economy drive, and the Dubai Government’s strategic directions toward comprehensive environmental sustainability.

We are collaborating with various leading EV manufacturers and with charging infrastructure providers like DEWA to ensure this transition is seamless and impactful. EV adoption is integral to reducing Dubai’s carbon footprint, and it aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. We believe the shift to EVs will not only drive environmental benefits but also enhance operational efficiency, and decrease maintenance costs, as well as noise levels. By positioning sustainability at the core of our operations, DTC is paving the way for a greener and more resilient mobility future.

DTC has strategically partnered with various organisations, including Bolt, to advance its digital transformation. What role do partnerships play in DTC’s strategy moving forward, and what types of collaborations are you particularly focusing on to drive innovation in the mobility space?

Strategic partnerships are fundamental to DTC’s vision. Collaborations with ride-hailing platforms like Bolt, help DTC unlock a greater share of the Dhs6bn market opportunity presented by Dubai’s taxi and e-hailing sector.

The partnership allows DTC to utilise infrastructure and technology created by Bolt which will improve DTC’s operational capabilities by incorporating the most recent digital vehicle booking technologies into DTC’s ecosystem thus reducing the need to use a private car which will have a positive impact on the emirate and the residents.

Furthermore, DTC will benefit from Bolt’s global footprint which will allow it to tap into a worldwide customer base. DTC is actively expanding its services both within Dubai and across the region.

Partnerships with local and international companies specialising in smart and sustainable transportation help DTC enhance its technological capabilities, broaden its service offerings, have access to new markets, and adapt to new market trends, ultimately positioning itself as a leading innovator in the transportation industry.

We have also partnered with leading food and e-commerce aggregators like Talabat UAE to provide our last-mile delivery services. This is another example of how such partnerships allow us to expand our services efficiently into neighbouring emirates.

Moving forward, we are particularly focusing on partnerships that drive innovation in areas such as AI technology, EV infrastructure, and customer experience design. By fostering a culture of co-creation, we aim to accelerate the adoption of next-gen mobility solutions.

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are widely regarded as the next frontier in urban transportation. Where do you see DTC’s role in the adoption and integration of AVs into Dubai’s transport network? What challenges and opportunities do you foresee in this transition, particularly concerning public trust, regulation, and infrastructure readiness?

According to Dubai Autonomous Strategy, 25 per cent of all transportation trips to be autonomous by 2030. Dubai Taxi Company is working closely with RTA to achieve this goal as the strategy includes integrating self-driving vehicles across various transport modes, including taxis, and limousine vehicles.

Challenges such as public trust, stringent safety regulations, and infrastructure upgrades are critical, but they also present opportunities for us to innovate and lead.

Focus on the right policy, and operating model backed by education, and rigorous testing, we aim to build confidence in AVs while contributing to a smarter, safer, and more efficient transport ecosystem that will present us with new opportunities to expand our investment within the mobility and transport sector.

As you look ahead, what is DTC’s overarching vision for 2030 and beyond? How do you plan to continue leading Dubai’s mobility evolution while aligning with the government’s vision for a smart, sustainable, and connected future?

Due to its strategic location, favourable lifestyle, and ease of doing business, Dubai has today become a top choice for travellers and investors.

The population is expected to reach 5.8 million by 2040. This will create a need for a robust and smart public transport infrastructure.

We aim to align with Dubai’s ambitions of becoming the world’s smartest city by integrating cutting-edge technologies, enhancing multimodal connectivity, and reducing environmental impact.

Our focus will remain on delivering seamless, customer-centric mobility experiences while driving the adoption of autonomous, electric, and shared transport solutions.

Through proactive collaboration with stakeholders, an unwavering dedication to innovation, and the adoption of cutting-edge technology DTC is always on the lookout for opportunities, thus committing to shaping the future of mobility
in Dubai.