Dubai to expand taxi ride-sharing service with new routes in six-month RTA trial

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

The pilot, scheduled to begin in the coming period, aims to build on the service’s success in offering a convenient, fast and competitively priced mobility option for residents and visitors.

The existing service provides shared taxi trips between Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai and Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi.

Taxi sharing in Dubai

RTA said the initiative has seen significant adoption across community segments, reflecting growing demand for practical, cost-efficient transport solutions between the emirates.

Providing further details, Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at RTA’s Public Transport Agency, said: “Since its launch last year, the shared taxi service operating between Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai and Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi has recorded a huge increase of 228 per cent in the number of riders choosing it for travel between the two emirates.

“This strong demand has encouraged us to expand the service on a trial basis to include two additional locations:

• “Al Maktoum International Airport, with routes to Dubai Marina Mall, Business Bay Metro Station and Palm Jumeirah – Atlantis Monorail Station
• “Dubai World Trade Centre, with routes to Business Bay Metro Station, Al Satwa Bus Station and Dubai Marina Mall”.

Shakri added: “The decision to introduce new locations on trial basis follows field studies and a detailed analysis of potential routes for the taxi ride-sharing service in the emirate. The objective is to reduce fare costs for riders, particularly those who rely on this mode of transport within Dubai.”

Reducing congestion

RTA said one of the core aims of the initiative is to help reduce congestion by allowing multiple riders to share a single taxi, contributing to smoother traffic flow and lowering environmental impact by reducing carbon emissions.

The ride-sharing service also supports Dubai’s efforts to curb unlicensed transport, offering riders a safe and reliable alternative using official RTA taxis. Vehicles are equipped with cameras linked to the Operations Control Centre and systems that monitor driver performance, ensuring enhanced safety and comfort for passengers.