The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA. of Dubai recently announced some encouraging statistics: a considerable increase has been observed in the number of persons utilizing shared mobility services and public transport. An estimated 361.2 million individuals used these services in the first half of 2024. This is a 6% increase from the same time last year when 340.5 million people used public transport.
On an average day in 2024, nearly 1.98 million people relied on public transport to get around. This daily average was higher than last year’s, which was 1.88 million people. This increase shows that more and more people are choosing public transport and shared mobility options in Dubai.
Dubai Metro and Taxis Are the Most Popular
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, who is the Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the RTA, explained that the Dubai Metro and taxis are the most popular forms of public transport in the city. The Dubai Metro alone accounted for 37% of all public transport users, while taxis were used by 27% of the people. Public buses also played a significant role, with 24.5% of the users choosing this option.
The busiest month for public transport in 2024 was January, with 65 million people using these services. In the following months, the number of users ranged between 53 million and 63 million.
Dubai Metro’s Red and Green Lines: Key to Success
The Dubai Metro, which has both Red and Green Lines, was a major contributor to the increase in public transport use. In the first half of 2024, these metro lines carried a total of 133 million passengers. The busiest stations were BurJuman and Union. BurJuman station saw 7.8 million users, making it the most crowded station, while Union station had 6.3 million users.
On the Red Line, Al Rigga station was the most popular, with 6.2 million passengers using it. Other busy stations on the Red Line included the Mall of the Emirates and Business Bay stations. On the Green Line, the stations that stood out were Sharaf DG, Baniyas, and Stadium.
Other Public Transport Services in Dubai
Apart from the Metro, Dubai’s other public transport options were also widely used. The Dubai Tram, which runs through key areas of the city, transported 4.5 million passengers in the first half of 2024. Public buses were another popular option, with 89.2 million people using them during this period. Marine transport, which includes water taxis and ferries, served 9.7 million users, showing that people are also enjoying these unique ways of getting around Dubai.
In addition to traditional public transport, shared mobility services like e-hail vehicles (such as Uber and Careem) and on-demand buses were also in high demand. These services were used by 27.8 million passengers in the first half of 2024. Meanwhile, Dubai’s taxis, a reliable mode of transport for many, carried 97 million passengers during the same period.
What’s Driving the Growth?
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer pointed out that this increase in public transport usage is largely due to Dubai’s booming economy and the RTA’s ongoing efforts to improve transport services. The RTA has been putting a lot of effort into improving everyone’s access to and convenience with public transport. By expanding and enhancing the transport network, they aim to encourage more people to use public transport and shared mobility services.
The RTA has a clear goal: by 2030, they want 25% of all journeys in Dubai to be made using public and shared transport. As of the end of 2023, this figure was already at 20.9%, showing that Dubai is well on its way to achieving this target.
RTA’s Vision for the Future
The RTA is committed to creating a well-connected and efficient transport network that links every part of Dubai. This involves not only expanding the road and metro networks but also promoting alternative ways to get around, like cycling and walking. Encouraging more people to prefer public transit over driving is the aim, as this can ease traffic congestion and contribute to a greener, more environmentally conscious city.
The ongoing efforts of RTA to improve public transit are a component of a bigger plan to raise Dubai’s standard of living. By making it easier for people to move around the city, the RTA is helping to support Dubai’s growth as a major global hub.
The RTA’s recent announcement highlights the positive impact of their efforts to improve public transport and shared mobility in Dubai. With a 6% increase in users in just one year, it’s clear that more people are choosing to use these services. As the RTA continues to invest in expanding and improving the transport network, we can expect to see even more growth in the years to come.
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