Dubai: 337 million commuters used public transport in H1, reports RTA

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) reported that that the ridership of public transportation and shared mobility means in Dubai (which include Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, marine transport modes, e-hail rides, smart car rental, bus-on-demand, and taxis) clocked nearly 337 million commuters in H1 2023.

The authority reported 304.6 million riders in the first half of 2022. The daily average ridership of public transportation modes, shared mobility and taxis in the first half of 2023 was around 1.86 million riders, compared to about 1.68 million riders in the first half of 2022.

Mattar Al Tayer, director general, chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA said: “Dubai Metro and taxis accounted for the largest ridership share of public transport, shared mobility means and taxis, with 36.5 per cent for Dubai Metro, and 29 per cent for Dubai Taxi, while public buses contributed to 24.5 per cent. March 2023 was the busiest of all months recording about 60 million riders.

“Ridership in other months ranged from 53 to 58 million riders. Ridership increased by 11 per cent in H1 2023 in comparison with the same period in 2022.

RTA Metro highlights

Al Tayer shared: “Dubai Metro ridership on both the Red and Green Lines hit 123.4 million riders in the first half of 2023, with Burjuman and Union stations accounting for the majority of riders. On both the Red and Green Lines, Burjuman Station served 7.25 million riders, whereas Union Station was used by 5.6 million riders.

“The Red Line’s busiest station Al Rigga served 5.4 million riders, followed by Mall of the Emirates Station with 5.2 million riders, and Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station with 4.7 million riders. On the Green Line, Sharaf DG Station ranked first in terms of ridership clocking 4.4 million riders, followed by Baniyas Station serving 3.8 million riders ahead of Stadium Station with 3 million riders, and the remaining ridership was distributed among other metro stations.”

In H1 2023, Dubai Tram lifted 4.2 million riders, public buses served 83 million riders, and marine transport means (abras, water bus, water taxi, and ferry) lifted 9.1 million riders. Shared mobility means (e-hail, smart rental vehicles, bus-On-demand) lifted 21 million riders, and taxis (Dubai Taxi, and franchise companies) lifted 96.2 million riders.

.@rta_dubai: 337million riders used public transport, shared mobility means, and taxis in the first half of 2023. The figure compares favourably 304.6 million riders in the first half of 2022. The daily average ridership of public transportation modes shared mobility, and taxis… pic.twitter.com/m5IOQQSUtE

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 30, 2023

Plans in action

Al Tayer said: “To achieve smooth traffic flow in the emirate RTA’s strategic and executive plans are built on integration of various public and shared transport means. They entail enhancing and broadening the road networks, crossings and public transport modes including the metro, tram, buses, marine transport, first and last-mile mobility means and shared transport. The plans also include improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and upgrading technical traffic and transport systems to ensure optimal utilisation and efficiency of the road and public transport network.

“They also encompass the implementation of policies to limit the public reliance on private vehicles and enhance reliance on other mobility means including public and shared transport.”