Dubai public transport trips rose by 11 percent in H1 2023, the city’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) said, recording nearly 337 million riders.
The figure includes Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, marine transport modes (abras, ferry, water taxi, water bus), e-hail rides, smart car rental, Bus-On-Demand, and taxis (Dubai Taxi and franchise company taxis), all of which clocked nearly 337 million riders, up from 304.6 million during the same period last year.
Dubai Metro, taxis most popular modes of transport
Dubai Metro and taxis were the most popular among commuters, accounting for 36.5 percent and 29 percent respectively.
March 2023 was recorded as the busiest month of the year, with 60 million riders. Average ridership in other months ranged from 53 to 58 million.
The daily average ridership of public transportation modes, shared mobility, and taxis was around 1.86 million riders, a significant surge from approximately 1.68 million riders in the first half of 2022.
“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,” Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority said.
“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.”
Dubai Tram, public buses and more
Public buses also contributed to 24.5 percent of overall rides recorded during this period.
Dubai Tram transported 4.2 million riders, whereas public buses served 83 million. Marine transport means including abras, water buses, water taxis, and ferries, lifted 9.1 million commuters.
Shared mobility means, such as e-hails, smart rental vehicles, and Bus-On-Demand, transported 21 million riders, and taxis (Dubai Taxi, and franchise companies) lifted 96.2 million riders.
“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,” Al Tayer said.
He added that the RTA’s plans also include improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and upgrading technical traffic and transport systems, as well as implementing policies to limit the public’s reliance on private vehicles to instead enhance their reliance on other means of transport, including shared and public transport.
Dubai ridership surge signifies ‘resurgence of economic activity’
“These results are a significant indicator of the resurgence of Dubai’s economic activity, as well as the RTA’s effective initiatives to encourage residents and visitors to use public transportation and offer diverse mobility options for Dubai’s residents,” Al Tayer said.
“Dubai’s integrated public transport network has now become the backbone of people’s movement around Dubai. The network was successful in coaxing a change and evolution in the community’s culture and attitudes towards using various public transport means.”
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