Dubai’s RTA to expand taxi ride-sharing service in six-month trial

Image: Dubai Media Office/ RTA

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will expand the scope of its taxi ride-sharing service under a six-month trial, following a strong uptake since the initiative launched last year, the authority said.

The existing route, which offers shared taxi trips between Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai and Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi, has seen a 228 per cent jump in ridership, RTA said.

The service has become popular among commuters looking for a quicker and lower-cost transport option between the two emirates.

RTA adds two new points for taxi ride-sharing service

The pilot will add two new starting points, Al Maktoum International Airport and Dubai World Trade Centre, with connections to several key destinations including Dubai Marina Mall, Business Bay Metro Station, Al Satwa Bus Station and the Palm Jumeirah Atlantis Monorail Station.

“Strong demand has encouraged us to expand the service on a trial basis,” said Adel Shakri, director of Planning and Business Development at RTA’s Public Transport Agency. He said the expanded routes were selected after field studies and analysis aimed at reducing fare costs for riders, particularly those relying on taxis for regular travel within Dubai.

The authority said the initiative supports efforts to ease congestion by allowing multiple passengers to share a single taxi, cutting the number of vehicles on the road and reducing emissions.

It also helps limit the use of unlicenced transport by offering a regulated and monitored alternative, the authority added.

RTA taxis used for the service are equipped with safety features including cameras linked to the Operations Control Centre and systems that monitor driver performance.